Tehran has urged the European Union, Russia, and China to accelerate their efforts to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers after the accord was abandoned by U.S. President Donald Trump on grounds that it was "deeply flawed."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on August 20 that "Europeans and other signatories of the deal (China and Russia) have been trying to save the deal ... but the process has been slow" and needs to accelerate.
"Iran relies mainly on its own capabilities to overcome America's new sanctions," Qasemi said in a news conference broadcast live on state television.
Britain, France, and Germany -- the three European signatories of the landmark accord -- have been scrambling to ensure Iran gets enough economic benefits to persuade it to continue meeting its obligations under the deal, despite the U.S. withdrawal.
The agreement requires Iran to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for international sanctions relief.
The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran in August, targeting Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals, its car industry, and purchases of U.S. currency.
Washington also says it will reimpose sanctions on Iran's oil exports and banking sector on November 4.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani's government is facing growing discontent in Iran over the country's weakening currency, which has lost half of its value since April.
Several mass protests also have broken out in Iran since the beginning of the year over high prices and alleged corruption.
