Despite a European warning, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that the country would move ahead with plans to gradually reduce its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 

After the 2018 US exit from the JCPOA, the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, Iran announced that it would remain in the deal but reduce its commitments as a strategy to pressure Europe to secure the sale of its oil. According to The Guardian, Germany, the UK and France warned Iran Sept. 25 that any further reductions could lead to the dismantling of the JCPOA.

Mousavi told Iranian reporters Sept. 30 that he has “no news of European threats” regarding the nuclear deal. He added that it would be “illegal” for Europe to use the JCPOA’s dispute mechanism. Iran’s argument is that under Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, the US reapplication of sanctions and European abiding by them permits Iran to take “reciprocal actions." “If they want to answer our reciprocal actions with reciprocal actions, it would be laughable and incorrect,” Mousavi said. “We recommend they not take this action.”

He continued, “If the Europeans do not take actionable steps" to help Iran sell its oil, "Iran will continue to take steps to reduce its JCPOA commitments.”