Tehran said it aimed at developing fuel for a research reactor. It has already produced a small amount of uranium metal this year that was not enriched. That is a breach of the deal,which bans all work on uranium metal since it can be used to make the core of a nuclear bomb.
Britain,France and Germany said they had “grave concern” about the decision,which violates the nuclear deal formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“Iran has no credible civilian need for uranium metal R&D and production,which are a key step in the development of a nuclear weapon,” they said in a joint statement issued by the British Foreign Ministry.
US and European officials made clear that Iran’s decision would complicate,and potentially end,indirect US-Iranian talks seeking to bring both nations back into compliance with the 2015 deal,which was abandoned by former US president Donald Trump.
The deal imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear program to make it harder for Tehran to develop fissile material for nuclear weapons in return for the lifting of economic sanctions. After Trump withdrew,Iran began violating many of its restrictions.