The Iran nuclear deal is in "intensive care" and Tehran is seriously considering withdrawing from it, the country's deputy foreign minister said Friday.
The Euronews website quoted Abbas Araghchi as saying that while Iran would like to preserve the deal, reached between Tehran and world powers in 2015, it is in need of "serious adjustments."
The deputy foreign minister told the website that the landmark deal "lost its balance" after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from it on May 8 and decided to reimpose economic sanctions.
The deal, spearheaded by the U.S. under the leadership of former President Barack Obama, lifted crippling sanctions from Iran in exchange for curbs on Iran's controversial nuclear program.
"If the Europeans and other remaining participants of the JCPOA are interested in Iran remaining in the deal, they should compensate [for] the absence of the U.S. and the reimposition of U.S. sanctions," he said, referring to the pact by the acronym of its official name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that they would like to salvage the deal, but have been critical of the European signatories – Germany, France and Britain – for the "weak" proposals presented to Iran.
Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Tuesday that Europe's proposals thus far have been "unacceptable," warning that "if it [negotiations] continues like this, all sides will lose."
