France, Germany and Britain on Friday urged Iran to stop producing uranium metal, which is a clear violation of the 2015 nuclear deal, said a statement released by the French foreign ministry.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, in a report, confirmed that Iran was producing uranium metal in violation of the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The three European countries said they noted the agency’s report "with grave concern."
"We reiterate that Iran has no credible civilian justification for these activities, which are a key step in the development of a nuclear weapon," the statement read, adding that Tehran, under the JCPOA, "committed not to engage in producing or acquiring uranium metal or to conduct research and development on uranium metallurgy for 15 years."
"We strongly urge Iran to halt these activities without delay and not to take any new non-compliant steps on its nuclear programme. In escalating its non-compliance, Iran is undermining the opportunity for renewed diplomacy to fully realise the objectives of the JCPOA," the three countries said.
