Iran Warns Europe of Repercussions Over Enforced Return of UN Sanctions
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a warning to the European partners of the United States, who are involved in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, against triggering the "snapback mechanism." This move could result in the re-imposition of United Nations sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
In an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Asharq News network on Wednesday, the senior diplomat highlighted that such an action would terminate the involvement of the European signatories, namely the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, in the agreement formally referred to as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He noted that if the trio resorts to the mechanism, it could have substantial repercussions and possibly escalate tensions irreversibly, alluding to the possibility of decisive retaliatory measures by the Islamic Republic.
Iran’s commitment to diplomatic engagement was reaffirmed by Araghchi, who voiced optimism that European parties would likewise show determination in tackling the existing deadlock.
The impasse emerged in 2018 when the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reinstated the sanctions that had been lifted under the accord, which have been criticized as illegal and unilateral.
Subsequent to this, the European trio was unable to reintegrate the United States into the accord as previously promised. In addition, they aligned themselves with Washington’s actions by reimposing their own sanctions.
In reaction to what it perceives as a betrayal, Iran has initiated a series of lawful and progressively intensifying nuclear counteractions.
Araghchi asserted that the current predicament is not Iran’s responsibility, but rather the result of the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA and the European nations’ failure to mitigate the impact of the US’s exit.
Uranium enrichment remains unequivocally non-negotiable, officials assert.
In a statement regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment program, the foreign minister emphasized that the nation’s commitment to these activities remains a principled and fundamental issue.
He highlighted that the enrichment program represented a significant scientific accomplishment crafted by local scientists, holding substantial importance for the Iranian populace.
The official expressed admiration for the seven Iranian nuclear scientists who were assassinated, acknowledging their significant contributions to the country’s peaceful nuclear energy program.
Araghchi stated that the sacrifices made by the victims in the pursuit of the program’s progress have rendered the nuclear issue “absolutely non-negotiable.”
