Russia warns Iran nuclear deal in danger of falling apart

The 2015 deal between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. The U.S. withdrew from the accord last year and imposed crippling economic sanctions that block Iran from selling crude oil abroad.

Moscow: Iran's nuclear deal with world powers is in danger of falling apart without the compliance of the United States and the European Union, Russia's foreign minister warned on Monday after meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Moscow.

The 2015 deal between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. The U.S. withdrew from the accord last year and imposed crippling economic sanctions that block Iran from selling crude oil abroad.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif shake hands prior to their talks in Moscow, Russia, on Monday.

“Because of the destructive line that Washington keeps towing, this important achievement of international diplomacy... is in danger of falling apart,” Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that colleagues from the European Union were not fully complying with the agreement either.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (not in the picture) during their talks in Moscow, Russia, on Monday.

In response to the U.S. sanctions, Iran has pressured the European signatories to find a way to limit the impact on the Iranian economy. Tehran has slowly inched toward ceasing its compliance with the terms of the deal. Last week, for example, the country began new operations at a heavy-water nuclear reactor.

Iran's moves have been condemned by Western governments as unwelcome and escalating tensions in the region while Russia and China have repeatedly blamed the U.S.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif smiles as he speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (not in the picture) during their talks in Moscow, Russia, on Monday.

After meeting with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif on Monday, Lavrov said Russia would demand full compliance from both the U.S. and the EU in which case Iran would be able to return to fulfilling its obligations following the deal.

Otherwise, the agreement should be considered no longer existing, he said.