Iran has not violated nuclear non-proliferation accord: Russia's Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Tehran, which has announced a decision to resume uranium enrichment, has not violated a treaty against the spread of nuclear weapons.

He told reporters in Moscow that Iran is rolling back its obligations "without any violations of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons."

The NPT, which came into force in 1970, calls on nations "to achieve the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to undertake measures in the direction of nuclear disarmament".

Iran has warned that leaving the non-proliferation treaty is one of the "many options" it has to retaliate against US sanctions.

President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant south of the capital, taking another step back from another treaty -- Iran's troubled 2015 nuclear agreement with major powers.

The Kremlin has expressed concern about Tehran's announcement but also said Russia understood its concerns over the "unprecedented and illegal sanctions" against Iran.

On Wednesday, Moscow repeated this point, saying that European powers should do their part.

"They are demanding that Iran fulfil all (obligations) without exception but are not giving anything in return," Russia's top diplomat said.

Washington's abandonment of the 2015 deal in May last year, followed by its reimposition of crippling sanctions, prompted Tehran to begin a phased suspension of its own commitments this year.

Iran has repeatedly warned the remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- that the agreement can only be rescued if they help it circumvent US sanctions.

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal with the six world powers had given the Islamic Republic sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

Macron says Iran's nuclear decisions are 'grave'
Beijing (AFP) Nov 6, 2019 - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said Iran had made "grave" decisions after Tehran took another step back from a troubled 2015 nuclear agreement with major powers.

"I will have discussions in the coming days, including with the Iranians, and we must collectively draw the consequences," Macron said at a news conference during a trip to Beijing.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant south of Tehran.

Macron said it was the first time that Iran explicitly withdraws from the nuclear deal, calling it a "profound change" from Tehran's previous position.

The next few weeks will be dedicated to increasing pressure on Iran to return within the framework of the pact, the French president said, adding that this must be "accompanied by an easing of some sanctions."

"A return to normal can only take place if the United States and Iran agree to reopen a sort of trust agenda" and dialogue, Macron said.

He said he would discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump.

Washington's abandonment of the agreement in May last year followed by its reimposition of crippling sanctions prompted Tehran to begin a phased suspension of its own commitments.

Iran has repeatedly warned the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- that the agreement can only be rescued if they help it circumvent US sanctions.

Germany urges Iran to reverse 'unacceptable' nuclear decision
Berlin (AFP) Nov 6, 2019 - Iran must roll back its decision to resume uranium enrichment, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, calling the action by Tehran "unacceptable".

"We call on Iran to reverse all steps taken since July and return to full compliance with its commitments," Maas told reporters in Berlin.

Tehran announced in July that it would resume enrichment, after the United States walked away from an international deal on curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Maas noted however that other signatories of the accord are still holding up their end of the deal, and warned Iran against further endangering the pact.

"Our aim is to maintain the nuclear agreement. We have always fully implemented our commitments and Iran must now urgently relent in order to ease tensions," Maas said.

A spokesman for the Iranian atomic energy agency said Wednesday said Iran's Fordow plant would begin enriching uranium from midnight (2030 GMT).

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EU 'concerned' by Iran nuclear enrichment announcement
Brussels (AFP) Nov 5, 2019
The European Union voiced concern Tuesday at Iran's announcement that it would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant, warning it is getting harder to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal. An EU spokeswoman said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to save the accord, which was abandoned by the US in May last year and which Iran has undercut with a series of recent moves to step up its nuclear activities. After the US ditched the deal, it reimposed crippling sanctions, prompting Iran to ... read more