A technician works at the Isfahan uranium enrichment facilities in Iran (Photo: AFP/VNA)

European Commission spokesman Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela told a media briefing in Brussels that the decision was "inconsistent" with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and urged Iran to reverse these steps and refrain from further measures that undermine the nuclear deal. 

Iran earlier abandoned commitments restricting its uranium stockpile and the level of uranium enrichment in response to US sanctions after Washington withdrew from the nuclear deal. The remaining powers including Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, are seeking to keep the deal alive. The European powers are trying to reduce US-Iran tensions, but Washington and Tehran are hardening their stances. 
However, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday that Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affirming that Iran’s nuclear activities will remain peaceful.