‘’At this critical juncture, Iran’s action also risks undermining efforts aimed at building upon the existing diplomatic process. We urge Iran to refrain from further escalation and reverse this course of action without delay. Continued full and timely cooperation with the IAEA remains critical,’’ Borrell stated.

Borrel said the EU was looking forward to working soon with US President-elect Joe Biden on resurrecting the Iran nuclear deal and rejected Tehran’s accusation the EU had aligned with Washington’s sanctions.

‘’We deeply regret the worrying steps taken by Iran over the last two years and recall that the EU has repeatedly called on Iran to reverse all actions that are inconsistent with Iran’s JCPoA commitments,’’ said EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in a statement.

Borrell called the initiation by Iran of uranium enrichment to up to 20% at the underground Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which was confirmed by the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) on 4 January, ‘’a very serious development and a matter of deep concern.’’

He said Iran’s action ‘’is also inconsistent with the JCPoA’s clear provisions on Fordow and has potentially severe proliferation implications,’’ in a reference to the 2015 nuclear deal.

‘’At this critical juncture, Iran’s action also risks undermining efforts aimed at building upon the existing diplomatic process. We urge Iran to refrain from further escalation and reverse this course of action without delay. Continued full and timely cooperation with the IAEA remains critical,’’ Borrell stated.

He said the EU ‘’reiterates its strong commitment to and continued support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The JCPoA is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and an achievement of multilateral diplomacy, endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council through resolution 2231.’’

Borrel said the EU was looking forward to working soon with US President-elect Joe Biden on resurrecting the Iran nuclear deal and rejected Tehran’s accusation the EU had aligned with Washington’s sanctions.

‘’The EU has upheld its JCPoA commitments, including regarding sanctions lifting as foreseen in the Agreement. Despite the severe challenges to the JCPoA, the EU has continued to work hard to preserve it,’’ Borrell said.

The EU supported “intensive diplomacy with the goal of facilitating a US return to the JCPOA and Iran’s return to full JCPOA implementation,” he added.

Joe Biden is to takes office on January 20. He has suggested the United States will return to the Iran deal, which it withdrew from in 2018 under US President Donald Trump, who reinstated and increased US sanctions.