MOSCOW, 11 February, 2021 (TON): On Thursday, Russia called on Iran to show restraint as it started producing uranium metal in a new breach of limits laid out in Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.

“We understand the logic of their actions and the reasons prompting Iran. Despite this it is necessary to show restraint and a responsible approach,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the media.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Wednesday that it had verified the production of 3.6 grams of uranium metal at a plant in Iran.

In 2015, the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, and Britain agreed on a landmark deal that involved a 15-year ban on “producing or acquiring plutonium or uranium metals or their alloys.”

Last month, Iran said that it was researching uranium metal production, a sensitive issue because uranium metal can be used as a component in nuclear weapons.

Ryabkov said Iran’s move demonstrated Tehran’s “determination not to put up with the current situation,” after it warned that time was running out for US President Joe Biden’s administration to save the agreement.

The previous U.S. administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, while imposed economic sanctions on Tehran. However, the new successor, Biden seeks to revive the agreement.