Doha: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the United States remains ready for direct contact with Iran to reach a peaceful and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. At the same time, he welcomed the decision of the European Troika (the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) to activate the process of reimposing sanctions on Iran.

According to Qatar News Agency, Rubio noted that the three countries had provided clear evidence of Iran’s failure to meet its nuclear obligations. Earlier today, the European Troika informed members of the UN Security Council of its decision to trigger the mechanism for reimposing UN sanctions on Iran.

For its part, Iran announced that it would abandon cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if the mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the country is activated.