FNA - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi blasted the US for attempts to weaken the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers, and called on the EU to increase efforts to maintain the internationally-endorsed agreement.

"We think that as we were serious about acting upon our undertakings, the Europeans should also be serious and be present on the scene more seriously and don�t allow the nuclear deal to grow weak. Europe should pursue its role and responsibility about the nuclear deal more seriously," Qassemi said on Sunday.


Noting that the EU is opposed to the violation of the nuclear deal, he said, "Russia and China also follow the same view."


As regards Iran's nuclear deal, the US stands on one side and others stand on the other side, Qassemi explained.


His comments came after Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi warned that the US, Israel and some of their regional allies are attempting to weaken the internationally-accepted 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers.


"Now, a move and indescribable coordination has been created among certain regional states, the Zionist regime and the new US administration to distort the nuclear deal using any means," Salehi said on Sunday, two days after the second anniversary of endorsement of the nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers (the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) on July 14, 2015.


Meantime, he underlined the strong points of the nuclear deal and the obstacles on the way of the signatories to violate it, and said, "The other side knows that the nuclear deal is like a strong dam which cannot be ruined easily and therefore, they have resorted to harassing measures so that we will have a reaction and they use it as a pretext to attain their goal" (that is discarding the deal).


His remarks alluded to the US Senate's recent votes to impose new sanctions against Iran over its missile defense program and support for resistance groups that are fighting ISIL and Al-Qaeda.


In a statement on Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Iran for its full implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal, and urged all parties to the agreement to remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).


�I shall continue to support the implementation of the JCPOA, in accordance with resolution 2231 (2015) and other relevant decisions of the Security Council,� Guterres said.


�The JCPOA was a major achievement in the area of nuclear non-proliferation. It gives us all hope that the most complex issues in this domain can be addressed through dialogue, understanding and cooperation," he said.


�I am confident that the JCPOA is the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran�s nuclear program and realize the great aspiration of the Iranian people,� the UN chief noted in his statement.


�Two years on, I am encouraged by the continued implementation of the Plan. I commend the Islamic Republic of Iran for implementing its nuclear-related commitments, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency," Guterres said.


�I also welcome the recent recommitment by the JCPOA participants, in Vienna, on 25 April, to the full and effective implementation of the Plan," he added.


�Their sustained commitment is essential for the long-term viability and success of the agreement. I call upon them to continue to work together in good faith and reciprocity to ensure that all participants benefit from the Plan," Guterres said.


�It is in the interest of the international community that this achievement of multilateral diplomacy endures transitions and implementation challenges cementing our collective commitment to diplomacy and dialogue,� he stressed.