Iran Press/ Europe: Holgate stated that Iran has repeatedly responded to resolutions adopted by the Board of Government with escalation rather than cooperation. She cited Iran's production of 60% enriched uranium at the Fordow facility as an example of this escalation.
Her remarks are against the fact that on 8 May 2018, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed as an international document with Iran and 5+1 in 2015. Despite the US withdrawal, the JCPOA remains in force as a multilateral agreement to which seven of the original eight parties still adhere.
Holgate also highlighted recent statements from senior Iranian officials threatening to reconsider Iran's nuclear doctrine and asserting that it has the technical capabilities to do so.
She warned that these statements should not be dismissed as mere bluster, as Iran has a history of secretly developing a nuclear weapons program and is now amassing a growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iran has consistently stated that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it has the right to enrich uranium for energy production. The country has also accused the US of attempting to undermine its sovereignty and interfere in its internal affairs.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom this week, submitted an anti-Iran draft resolution ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Board of Governors meeting.
There are reports that Washington had earlier abstained from joining the European troika, over fears that the resolution could further escalate the regional tensions.
In reaction, Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency, on Monday warned E3 of Iran's reaction.
“We act within the framework of national law, safeguards, and the NPT. They report contradictories because they failed to fulfill their obligations. They need to resume their obligations so that we can fulfill ours. If they issue resolutions or exert political pressure, we will react for sure.”
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