Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said his country is ready to reduce its nuclear commitments if Europe is unable to secure the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal signed by Iran and the six world powers in 2015.

Mousavi’s comments come one day after Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China met in Vienna to discuss the fate of the JCPOA, from which the United States withdrew in May 2018. Mousavi said the July 28 JCPOA meeting was held at the request of both Europe and Iran and that Europe had expressed their protest against Iran for reducing their nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. So far, Iran has increased its enrichment beyond 3.67% and increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium to beyond the agreed-upon 300 kilograms. Iran has stressed that these steps can be fully reversed once Europe fulfills its end of the JCPOA.

At the Vienna meeting, Iran complained about European arrests and extradition of Iranians to the United States. The Donald Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran after its withdrawal from the JCPOA. Mousavi said the individuals arrested by Europe were apprehended because of “America’s unilateral oppressive sanctions.”

Europe has already introduced INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) to facilitate trade between Iran and Europe and bypass US sanctions. However, the volume of trade on INSTEX remains too small to satisfy Iran’s need to safely sell its oil. Mousavi said the topic of INSTEX was raised at the latest meeting; however, “it was not significant.” He also referred to INSTEX as “the beginning of the opposing side implementing its commitments.” Mousavi added, “We are still awaiting actionable and tangible steps from Europe to implement the JCPOA."