Iran's expansion of uranium enrichment activities in defiance of key nuclear commitments is "a big step in the wrong direction," a spokesperson for the US State Department said on Tuesday, after Tehran announced it would start injecting uranium gas into centrifuges at its underground Fordow enrichment facility.
"We fully support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in conducting its independent verification role in Iran and look to the IAEA to report on any developments," the spokesperson said in a statement.
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The European Commission expressed concern that Iran's decision to take a new step to reduce commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal was putting the accord at risk, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
"We are concerned by President [Hassan] Rouhani's announcement today to further reduce Iran's commitment under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," a spokeswoman said, referring to the formal title of the deal.
"We urge Iran to reverse all activities that are inconsistent with its commitments under the JCPOA ... it is increasingly difficult to preserve the JCPOA."
In a speech broadcast live on state TV, Rouhani said Iran is injecting gas into 1,044 centrifuges at its Fordow plant. Under the terms of the deal the Islamic Republic is allowed to spin the centrifuges at Fordow without injecting gas, Rouhani said.
British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday that Iran's latest actions posed a threat to Britain's national security.
"Iran's latest actions clearly contravene the deal and pose a risk to our national security," Raab said.
"We want to find a way forward through constructive international dialogue but Iran needs to stand by the commitments it made and urgently return to full compliance."
