Tasnim � International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano expressed hope that Tehran and Washington could find ways to scale down tensions.

�I am worried about increasing tensions over the Iranian nuclear issue,� Amano said in a speech to a meeting of the IAEA�s 35-nation Board of Governors on Monday, Reuters reported.

He further hoped �that ways can be found to reduce current tensions through dialogue. It is essential that Iran fully implements its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.�

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been rising since US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and imposed unilateral economic sanctions against Iran, mainly targeting its energy dealings on the global market.

On the first anniversary of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Iran announced that it would suspend the implementation of some of its commitments under the deal, announcing that it would stop exporting excess uranium and heavy water, setting a 60-day deadline for the five remaining parties to the deal to take practical measures towards ensuring its interests in the face of the American sanctions.