The EU warned on Monday that Iran's direction is increasing the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the Middle East.

“Iran's accumulation of high-enriched uranium, its continuously growing enriched uranium stockpile and the expansion of its nuclear enrichment infrastructure are alarming,” the head of the EU's delegation to the UN, Stavros Lambrinidis, told the Security Council.

“Such actions carry very significant proliferation-related risks and raise grave concerns about Iran's intentions.”

Tehran's announcement of its intention to further increase its installed enrichment capacity, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency on June 13, has further increased the EU’s concerns.

“If implemented, these actions would constitute a significant escalation by Iran with regard to its nuclear programme and capabilities, and a further departure from Iran's commitments under the JCPOA and UNSC Resolution 2231,” said Mr Lambrinidis.

He was referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal signed between world powers and Iran in 2015, from which former president Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018.

Rosemary Di Carlo, UN undersecretary general for political affairs, called it “very concerning” that Iran has a uranium stockpile 30 times higher than allowed under the JCPOA deal.

In April, the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that Iran could be months or weeks away from being able to build a nuclear weapon.

Mr Lambrinidis called on Iran not to proceed with its plans, as that would “undoubtedly put at risk any future nuclear diplomacy”.

Iran criticised the “biased” EU statement, saying it is up to the US to pursue dialogue and co-operation, given its withdrawal from the agreement and imposition of unilateral sanctions.