The Council of the European Union published on Thursday its formal decision to extend the suspension of its sanctions against Iran until January 28, the Sputnik reported.

A certain number of EU sanctions against Iran were suspended after Tehran and international negotiators reached the Iranian nuclear agreement, or Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) in mid-2015. The sanctions were initially suspended for a six-month period.

"On 14 January 2016, the Council extended until 28 January 2016 the suspension of certain EU restrictive measures against Iran," the EU body said in a statement.

Prolonging the current suspension of certain EU restrictive measures against Iran is due to provide for the continuous preparations for the implementation of the JCPOA, according to the statement.

In July 2015, Iran and the P5+1 group of international mediators, comprising Russia, China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, signed a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program, according to which Iran pledged to guarantee the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions lifting.

Source: MENA