Iran FM rejects 'unfair pressure' in call with UN nuclear watchdog chief

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected "unfair pressure" on his country in a telephone call Friday with the UN nuclear watchdog chief after the Security Council reimposed sanctions.

Iran "rejects any political action and unfair pressure that could lead to an escalation of tensions", Araghchi said in the call with International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi.

His comment came after the Security Council voted to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities.

Britain, France and Germany were among the parties to a 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that gave Iran relief from UN sanctions in return for UN-monitored restrictions on its nuclear activities.

The three governments say Iran has reneged on its commitments under the deal which has been effectively moribund since Washington pulled out in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term.

"The full responsibility for the consequences of this action... lies with the United States and the three European countries," the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The European governments "have not yet shown independence and have followed the unilateral and illegal policies of America," the ministry added.

Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapons capability, an ambition Tehran denies.

In June, Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran targeting nuclear and military sites, as well as residential areas, and killing more than 1,000 people, including nuclear scientists as well as senior commanders.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks that killed dozens in Israel.

The United States briefly joined Israel's campaign for a series of strikes on key nuclear facilities before a ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war.

Last week, Iran agreed a new cooperation framework with the IAEA after it suspended cooperation following the Israeli and US strikes.