Iran said it could quit the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if European countries refer it to the UN security council for scaling back its commitments under its 2015 nuclear pact with world powers, which the United States quit in 2018.

France, Britain and Germany formally triggered the agreement’s dispute mechanism this month, the strongest step they have taken so far to enforce a deal under which Iran was offered sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear work.

Donald Trump reimposed US sanctions on Iran after pulling Washington out of the pact.

After months of announcing gradual steps to reduce compliance, Iran said on 6 January it would scrap all limits on enriching uranium, saying the Europeans had failed to ensure Iran received the economic benefits promised in the deal.

The dispute resolution process takes up to 65 days to play out unless extended by consensus.