Thursday, 18 February 2021 (YJC)_E3, US Call on Iran to Avoid Any Additional Steps to Suspend Nuclear Protocols.
The US, along with France, Germany and the UK, which make up the E3, called on Iran on Thursday to avoid taking any additional steps aimed at halting nuclear protocols or limiting the IAEA's access to nuclear sites within the Middle Eastern country.
The statement, which touches on a recent virtual meeting between foreign ministers of the E3 countries and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlights the growing efforts by the group to "ensure that Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon."
"The E3 and the United States affirmed their shared objective of Iran’s return to full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA," reads the release. "Secretary Blinken reiterated that, as President Biden has said, if Iran comes back into strict compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA, the United States will do the same and is prepared to engage in discussions with Iran toward that end."
"In this context, the E3 and the United States called on Iran not to take any additional steps, in particular with respect to the suspension of the Additional Protocol and to any limitations on IAEA verification activities in Iran," it continued. The parties also urged Tehran to "consider the consequences of such grave action, particularly at this time of renewed diplomatic opportunity."
Officials also "expressed their concern" during the meeting over Iran's move to increase uranium enrichment at the Fordow enrichment complex. Although fuel enriched at that level is not sufficient to produce a bomb, the statement described the uptick as a "key development of a nuclear weapon."
Additionally, Blinken and the top diplomats of the E3 called on Iranian officials to "release all out arbitrarily detained national."