The three European countries, known as the E3, launched the so-called “snapback mechanism” yesterday over accusations that Iran has violated a 2015 deal that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapons capability in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

“We strongly condemn these actions by European countries and call on the international community to reject them,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that blamed the US and the Europeans for the collapse of the 2015 agreement.

Russia signed a strategic cooperation deal with Iran this year and condemned the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites by Israel and the US in June.

Iran rejects Western accusations that it is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said attempts to reimpose sanctions on Tehran were a “serious destabilising factor” that undermined the search for a negotiated solution.

She said it was important to prevent a new escalation over Iran’s nuclear programme that would lead to “grave consequences”.