"It is highly important that this work [increasing production of low-enriched uranium] is carried out under strict IAEA control. That is not a problem in terms of Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"The IAEA was warned in advance about the upcoming changes. All the established procedures were followed. Even by increasing production, Iran remains within the framework specified in the JCPOA", it added.
The Foreign Ministry continued by saying that Moscow hopes that escalation around the Iran nuclear deal can be avoided and that Tehran will continue to respect its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Sputnik reported.
"We hope that further escalation will be avoided. Much depends on our European colleagues and their ability to respond appropriately to Iran's concerns, creating conditions for maintaining trade and economic relations with Iran by interested European companies. We also hope that Iran will refrain from further steps on suspending implementation of its obligations under the JCPOA while common work is ongoing."
The ministry also called for holding a JCPOA Joint Commission meeting to further discuss the situation.
The statement comes a day after the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi said that Tehran would increase its production of low enriched uranium fourfold starting from May 20.
On 8 May, one year after the US’ abrupt withdrawal from the JCPOA, Tehran announced its decision to suspend some of the obligations under the nuclear agreement. On the same day, Iran gave nuclear deal signatories — France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and the European Union — an ultimatum, saying that it would step up uranium enrichment in 60 days if they did not shield Tehran from sanctions imposed by the United States after Washington quit the accord last year.
According to Tehran, these measures were taken in response to Washington violating the JCPOA.
MNA/Sputnik