The four-year anniversary of the signing of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed by Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, passed on July 14. But with the accord nearing collapse due to the US exit from the deal in May 2018, Iranian officials who had pinned their political futures on the landmark nonproliferation agreement would have preferred the day to go by unnoticed. 

With the reimposition of US sanctions, Iran has slowly reduced its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, most notably announcing that they will increase beyond the 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of low-enriched uranium stockpile and beyond 3.67% enrichment. The United Kingdom, France and Germany (E3) have attempted to salvage the deal, though with little success so far. 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi addressed European attempts to keep the JCPOA deal alive. “Iran’s expectations of European partners in the JCPOA is the adoption of operational, effective and responsible decisions and steps,” Mousavi said July 15. He added that expecting Iran to return to the JCPOA level of commitments for its nuclear program without “evidence of serious political will and the practical ability of the Europeans in creating balance in fulfilling their commitments based on the JCPOA … is unrealistic and contrary to the goals, logic and contents of the JCPOA.” 

Mousavi’s comments were in response to a July 14 statement released by the E3. The statement reiterated the E3’s “regret and concern” that the United States exited the JCPOA. It continued, “Today, we are concerned by the risk that the JCPOA further unravels under the strain of sanctions imposed by the United States.” The statement added, “We strongly urge Iran to reverse its recent decisions” regarding their commitments under the JCPOA. It also urged all sides to reduce tensions, particularly in the Persian Gulf region.