NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom, Germany, and France condemned Iran’s latest steps to advance its nuclear enrichment programme.
The three countries released a joint statement stating that presenting such steps are “not acceptable”. They added that they remain committed to a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“We, the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, condemn Iran’s latest steps, as reported by the IAEA, to further expand its nuclear programme,” the joint statement reads.
“Presenting such steps as a reaction to the IAEA Board of Governors’ adoption of a resolution calling for Iran’s long overdue cooperation on safeguards is not acceptable. Iran is legally obliged under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to fully implement its safeguards agreement, which is separate to the JCPoA. We remain committed to a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” the statement added.
This condemnation came after UN nuclear watchdog report said on Thursday that Iran has rapidly installed extra uranium enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and begun setting up others.
Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the 90% of weapons grade, and has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for three nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick.
Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
Earlier, the G7 countries warned Iran against advancing its nuclear enrichment programme and said they would be ready to enforce new measures if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia, according to a draft communique.
“We urge Tehran to cease and reverse nuclear escalations, and stop the continuing uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justifications,” the statement seen by Reuters said.
The three countries released a joint statement stating that presenting such steps are “not acceptable”. They added that they remain committed to a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“We, the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, condemn Iran’s latest steps, as reported by the IAEA, to further expand its nuclear programme,” the joint statement reads.
“Presenting such steps as a reaction to the IAEA Board of Governors’ adoption of a resolution calling for Iran’s long overdue cooperation on safeguards is not acceptable. Iran is legally obliged under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to fully implement its safeguards agreement, which is separate to the JCPoA. We remain committed to a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” the statement added.
This condemnation came after UN nuclear watchdog report said on Thursday that Iran has rapidly installed extra uranium enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and begun setting up others.
Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the 90% of weapons grade, and has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for three nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick.
Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
Earlier, the G7 countries warned Iran against advancing its nuclear enrichment programme and said they would be ready to enforce new measures if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia, according to a draft communique.
“We urge Tehran to cease and reverse nuclear escalations, and stop the continuing uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justifications,” the statement seen by Reuters said.