The head of Iran's nuclear energy agency on Monday called the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal an "open travesty" and a "reckless act".

Speaking at the general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Ali Akbar Salehi said the "ominous move" by the US was doomed to have serious repercussions for the international and regional peace.

He went on to call on the European Union to stand up to the US and "uphold its commitments".

In his speech, the US energy secretary defended his country's withdrawal, calling the nuclear agreement "flawed".

Referring to the detention in Europe of an Iranian diplomat suspected of involvement in a plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally in France, Rick Perry said the deal failed to address what he said was Iran's "continued misconduct".