Tasnim � Britain's Minister for Industry and Business Nadhim Zahawi said his country is "working hard" to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers despite Washington�s efforts to undermine it.

�The UK strongly supports the JCPOA and is working hard to preserve the agreement given its importance to non-proliferation and security,� Zahawi said on Monday addressing the 64th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference.

He added, �... we are grateful to the Director General for his dedication in monitoring this agreement�.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday that all UN sanctions against Iran were �back in effect� under the so-called snapback provision in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Pompeo said last month that he triggered a 30-day process at the council leading to the return of UN sanctions on Iran on Saturday evening that would also stop a conventional arms embargo on Tehran from expiring on Oct. 18.

But 13 of the 15 Security Council members say Washington�s move is void because Pompeo used a mechanism agreed under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which the United States quit in 2018.

Washington argues it triggered the return of sanctions - known as �snapback� - because a UN resolution that enshrines the pact still names it as a participant. Diplomats say few countries are likely to reimpose the measures lifted under the 2015 deal.