The three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the E3,�have expressed regret over Iran�s decision to cease the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement.

In a joint statement released on Tuesday, France, Germany and Britain claimed that Iran�s actions are �a further violation� of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and �significantly reduce safeguards oversight� by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

�We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, deeply regret that Iran has started, as of today, to suspend the Additional Protocol and the transparency measures,� the statement read.

�The E3 are united in underlining the dangerous nature of this decision. It will significantly constrain the IAEA�s access to sites and to safeguards-relevant information. It will also constrain the IAEA�s ability to monitor and verify Iran�s nuclear programme and nuclear-related activities, as per its reporting mandate under United Nations Security Council resolution 2231,� it added.

At midnight on Monday, Iran stopped the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol that allowed the IAEA to carry out short-notice inspections of the country�s nuclear facilities.