DUBAI/TEHRAN: Quitting a treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons is one of Iran鈥檚 鈥渘umerous choices鈥� after the United States tightened sanctions on Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted saying by state media on Sunday.

Washington has decided not to renew exemptions from US sanctions to buyers of Iranian oil, in an effort to cut Iran鈥檚 vital oil exports to zero.

鈥淭he Islamic Republic鈥檚 choices are numerous, and the country鈥檚 authorities are considering them... and leaving NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) is one of them,鈥� state broadcaster IRIB鈥檚 website quoted Zarif as saying

Meanwhile, Zarif said he will visit North Korea as both countries struggle under US sanctions.

Iran鈥檚 official IRNA news agency quoted him saying that the visit is being planned and a date will be announced soon.

The United States has ramped up sanctions on Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew from its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers last year. The US has tightened sanctions on North Korea to try to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons.

An Iranian parliamentary delegation visited North Korea in December, and North Korea鈥檚 top diplomat, Ri Yong Ho, visited Iran in August.