The measures were meant to expire next month, but the three countries say the move is in direct response to Iran's 'noncompliance'.Britain, France and Germany have announced they will keep their sanctions on Iran related to the country's atomic programme and its development of ballistic missiles.

The measures were to expire in October under a timetable spelled out in the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the three European allies - known as E3, and partners in helping to negotiate the nuclear deal - said they would retain their sanctions in a "direct response to Iran's consistent and severe noncompliance" with the accord, also known by its official name as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The measures ban Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and bar anyone from buying, selling or transferring drones and missiles to and from Iran. They also include an asset freeze for several Iranian individuals and entities involved in the nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Iran has violated the sanctions by developing and testing ballistic missiles and sending drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine.

The sanctions will remain in place until Tehran "is fully compliant" with the deal, the E3 said. The sanctions, according to the accord from eight years ago, were to expire on October 18.

Iran has rejected the decision as "illegal and provocative".

"Undoubtedly, Iran will resp ...

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