The US, along with France, Germany and the UK, which make up the E3, called on Iran on Thursday to avoid taking any additional steps aimed at halting nuclear protocols or limiting the IAEA's access to nuclear sites within the Middle Eastern country.
The statement, which touches on a recent virtual meeting between foreign ministers of the E3 countries and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlights the growing efforts by the group to "ensure that Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon."
"The E3 and the United States affirmed their shared objective of Iran’s return to full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA," reads the release. "Secretary Blinken reiterated that, as President Biden has said, if Iran comes back into strict compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA, the United States will do the same and is prepared to engage in discussions with Iran toward that end."
"In this context, the E3 and the United States called on Iran not to take any additional steps, in particular with respect to the suspension of the Additional Protocol and to any limitations on IAEA verification activities in Iran," it continued. The parties also urged Tehran to "consider the consequences of such grave action, particularly at this time of renewed diplomatic opportunity."
Officials also "expressed their concern" during the meeting over Iran's move to increase uranium enrichment at the Fordow enrichment complex. Although fuel enriched at that level is not sufficient to produce a bomb, the statement described the uptick as a "key development of a nuclear weapon."
Additionally, Blinken and the top diplomats of the E3 called on Iranian officials to "release all our arbitrarily detained nationals."
The remarks came a day after Ned Price, the spokesperson for the US State Department, urged Iranian officials to reverse its actions against the IAEA, after Tehran announced it would begin placing limits on the JCPOA-mandated inspections if European countries failed to resolve sanctions against Iranian sectors.
Zarif Calls on US to End 'Economic Terrorism' Against Iran
Moments after the release was issued, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif issued a statement via Twitter that called on the Biden administration to end stifling Trump-era policies.
"Instead of sophistry & putting onus on Iran, E3/EU must abide by own commitments & demand an end to Trump's legacy of #EconomicTerrorism against Iran," Zarif tweeted. "Our remedial measures are a response to US/E3 violations."
"Remove the cause if you fear the effect. We'll follow ACTION w/ action," he added.
Zarif's commentary largely echoed remarks he gave during an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, in which he noted that if the Biden administration truly wants to cut ties with the so-called "maximum pressure" policies of the previous administration, it needs to lift its sanctions.
At the time, Zarif noted Iran would begin reducing IAEA inspections but that it did not necessarily "mean that the window is fully shut" in regards to JCPOA talks.
Under the Trump administration, the US left the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 over unsubstantiated claims that the terms of the agreement had been violated by Iran, a move which then reimposed previously lifted sanctions. In response, Tehran began backing away from its commitments under the deal by increasing the quantity of its uranium.
The Biden administration has repeatedly indicated that it intends to normalize ties with Iran; however, Blinken has stated that officials are weighing drawing up a new agreement with Iran that will also include Israel and fellow Gulf neighbors. Iran has firmly opposed the proposal.