European countries criticize US decision to end ‘nuclear waiver’ given to Iran

France, Germany and the United Kingdom have criticized the US decision to lift three of the four sanctions on Iran.

According to foreign news agencies, the lifting of sanctions on Russian, Chinese and European companies includes the replacement of a heavy water reactor in the Iranian city of Arak, the supply of enriched uranium for a research reactor in Tehran and spent fuel. It was allowed to work on relocation abroad.

The three European countries said in a joint statement on Saturday “We deeply regret the U.S. decision to end the three waivers covering key JCPOA nuclear projects in Iran.”

“These plans, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, promote the interests of all those involved in nuclear non-proliferation and the international community, particularly Iran’s nuclear activities,” the statement said.

It should be noted that two days ago, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that the exemption from working in Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power station has been extended.

He also announced sanctions against Majid Aghai and Amjad Sazgar, two officials from Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, who he said were involved in the manufacture of centrifuges used for uranium enrichment.

It should be noted that after the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal with the world powers of Iran in 2018, Tehran is taking steps against the agreement and has started inserting uranium gas in more than a thousand centrifuges.

The Iranian government says it will back down if Europe tells it a way out of US sanctions.

Iran is also enriching uranium to 4.55%, violating the 3.67% limit under the nuclear deal.

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