Mikhail Ulyanov

Russia understands the reason behind steps taken by Iran with regard to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran Press/Europe: "We understand the steps taken [by Iran], the reasons that pushed the Iranians to take them," Russia's Permanent Representative to Int'l Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov told Sputnik on Sunday.  

According to Ulyanov, Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment levels was not unexpected as Tehran is acting in a transparent manner.

It will be possible to determine by how much Iran had increased its uranium enrichment limit in a few days, he added, stressing that a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran's uranium enrichment levels may be presented at a special session of the agency’s governing board on July 10."In any case, there is space to continue diplomatic efforts, they will be continued," Ulyanov pointed out.

Meanwhile, Ulyanov urged Tehran to refrain from exceeding the 5% uranium enrichment level.

After the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, on May 8, 2018, the Islamic Republic of Iran has given plenty of time to other parties remaining in the deal over the past year, but the Europeans failed to honour their commitments. 

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran  on Sunday, the Iranian  Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Iran will be taking the second step towards the reduction of its commitments to the JCPOA , adding Iran's enrichment level will soon surpass the 3.67 percent limit allowed by the nuclear deal.

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Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter on Sunday to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini saying Iran will no longer be committed to the articles of the JCPOA that define a limit for Iranian uranium enrichment.

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Kamalvandi: Uranium enrichment at more than 3.67 percent to start within hours

Iran to take the second step towards reduction of its commitments within JCPOA