MNA – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a major diplomatic achievement, expressing hope that the international document could be saved following the US’s withdrawal.

“The secretary general has consistently reiterated that the JCPOA represents a major achievement in nuclear nonproliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to regional and international peace and security,” said Guterres’ spokesman, Farhan Haq, in a news conference on Wednesday.

The UN chief strongly hopes that the nuclear deal can be preserved, Haq said.

Iran revealed on Wednesday countermeasures to US’ withdrawal from the nuclear deal, giving the other remaining parties to the JCPOA a 60-day ultimatum to comply with their commitments, particularly those regarding Iran’s economic interests in the banking and energy sectors, before reducing further commitments to the agreement stage by stage.

Iran says at any given time that its demands are met, it will resume complying with the suspended commitments, which have been made impossible to continue due to the US measures and sanctions.

The decision to reduce commitments to the JCPOA comes as Washington is ramping up pressure against Iran, by re-imposing new sanctions, including restrictions on Iran's low-level uranium enrichment, and ending the sanctions waivers for Iran’s major oil clients in an attempt to drive the country’s oil exports to zero.

Iran has stressed that it has no intention to leave the JCPOA, and its decision on reducing commitments is still within the framework of the agreement.