France: Iran should not worsen the current situation of the JCPOA by producing metallic uranium
The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement warning about Iran's start of uranium metal production, calling it a violation of the JCPOA agreement. France said that by producing uranium metal, Iran is jeopardizing the possibility of negotiations with the United States.
The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday, February 11, warning Iran and urging it to refrain from any action that would worsen the current situation of the JCPOA nuclear agreement.
France, as one of the signatories of the 2015 JCPOA, has expressed concern about Iran's move to produce metallic uranium, which could have military applications, and has considered this move by the Islamic Republic to be a violation of the JCPOA.
Citing the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Agnes von Dermol, spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, said that in order to preserve the political atmosphere and find a diplomatic solution, France is asking Iran not to take new steps that could worsen the nuclear situation.
The International Atomic Energy Agency announced to member states the previous day that new equipment has been installed at the Isfahan nuclear facility and that Iran has begun producing uranium metal since February 8.
Germany, France, and Britain, the European "troika" that signed the JCPOA, have expressed strong concern about Iran's activities in this area, citing the military uses of uranium metal.
Russia has also called for Iran to exercise "restraint."
In the JCPOA nuclear agreement, Iran has committed to not engage in research and development of metallic uranium for 15 years.
Officials in the Islamic Republic have not responded to the French warning, but Iranian state media described the French request as "unilateral" and "repetitive."
