France, Germany and the UK jointly issued a statement maintaining that “while we were edging closer to an agreement, Iran reopened separate issues that relate to its legally binding international obligations under the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its NPT safeguards agreement concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This latest demand raises serious doubts as to Iran’s intentions and commitment to a successful outcome on the JCPOA”. They further stressed that “it is up to Iran to provide technically credible answers to the IAEA’s questions on the whereabouts of all nuclear material on its territory. The JCPOA can in no way be used to release Iran from legally binding obligations that are essential to the global non-proliferation Regime”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson maintained that “by [issuing] such an ill-considered statement, the three European countries have followed in the footsteps of the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] down a path that will lead to the failure of negotiations… It is obvious that if such an approach continues, the E3 should also accept responsibility for its consequences”.