US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European countries on Friday to swiftly make a significant decision regarding the reimposition of sanctions against Iran ahead of negotiations in Rome between US and Iranian representatives.
Rubio stated from Paris' Le Bourget airport that Europeans must decide on reestablishing sanctions soon because Iran is not adhering to the current agreement, which offered Tehran relief on sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear ambitions.
He warned that Europeans should anticipate receiving a report from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) indicating that Iran is not only non-compliant but dangerously close to developing a nuclear weapon.
IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi said on Thursday during a visit to Tehran that time is running out to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran.
"We are at a crucial stage in these important negotiations," Grossi said in Tehran. "We have little time, which is why I am here to facilitate this process," he told several Iranian state media outlets.
Western countries, spearheaded by the United States and Israel, suspect Iran of intending to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies these allegations and asserts its right to nuclear technology for civilian purposes, particularly energy.
Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet in Rome on Saturday for further talks, mediated by Oman, which hosted discussions between the two countries last Saturday.
Besides the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and Germany, along with the European Union, are part of the international nuclear agreement with Iran, concluded in 2015.
