TEHRAN – A Russian senator says his country could convene a meeting with the U.S., China, France, Britain and Germany to protect the Iran nuclear deal as the moves by the U.S. is threatening the international agreement. 

“Russia may demand the 'six' — thanks to whose efforts this agreement was reached — to convene, and to demand the U.S. not to disrupt efforts to stabilize the situation,” Senator Igor Morozov told Sputnik on Tuesday.

Morozov, who is member of the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, said the representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should also be invited to the meeting in order to reaffirm Iran’s compliance with the accord.

“The European investment has begun to flow into Iran, Europe is not interested in destabilization of the situation in the region,” he added, noting that the EU is likely to support the Russian position.

The Russian senator also said Iran’s reaction to the expansion of U.S. sanctions against Tehran was reasonable and comprehensible.

Earlier in the day, President Rouhni said Iran could leave the nuclear agreement “in hours” and return to pre-deal situation if new sanctions are imposed on the country.

On July 27, the U.S. Senate imposed new non-nuclear sanctions on Tehran over its missile program and alleged role in destabilizing the region.

On Sunday, the Iranian parliament responded to the hostile move and voted for allocating $520 million on the development of its own missile program and reinforce its campaign against terrorism championed by the IRGC Quds Force.

MH/PA