Russia urges Iran deal's European signatories to fulfill obligations

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Russia expects the 2015 Iran nuclear deal's European signatories to fulfill their obligations under the landmark 2015 pact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday at a joint press conference in Moscow with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"I believe the only practical steps that need to be taken in order to resolve the situation... is to convince all remaining participants to fulfill their obligations," Lavrov said.

Lavrov also told reporters that Russia is willing to work with all signatories apart from the U.S. on the situation around the Iran nuclear deal, pinpointing the U.S. to be responsible for it.

"The structure of the Iran nuclear deal became fragile by the U.S.' withdrawal," Lavrov said, adding that the current situation has also made it difficult for Tehran to fulfill its obligations under the pact.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani deliveries a speech in the capital Tehran, Iran, May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Speaking at the press conference, Zarif said Iran was genuinely committed to the nuclear deal, and Tehran could guarantee the continued survival of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers if the pact's European signatories fulfilled their obligations.

Iran announced earlier on Wednesday that it decided to suspend some of its commitments under its 2015 nuclear deal.

He also expressed gratefulness for Russia's role in preserving the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), while slamming the U.S. for "not complying with many international agreements."

UK: 'Extremely concerned' about Iran's announcement

Britain is extremely concerned about Iran's announcement on Wednesday that it is scaling back curbs to its nuclear program, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said, urging Tehran not to take escalatory steps.

"We are extremely concerned about this announcement and urge Iran to continue to meet its commitments under the deal and not to take escalatory steps," the spokesman told reporters.

"This deal is a crucial agreement which makes the world safer and we will ensure it remains in place for as long as Iran upholds these commitments."

U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo is having meetings with May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday, where the move from Iran is expected to be discussed.