Iran rejects the European Troika’s claims to activate the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, asserting that the UK, France, and Germany lack legal legitimacy due to their own violations. Russia supports Iran’s stance, emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue. Diplomatic negotiations continue, but Iran warns of possible withdrawal from the NPT if further threats are enacted.
Iran has firmly rejected the European Troika’s attempts to invoke the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, emphasizing that the UK, France, and Germany lack both legal and moral grounds to do so, given their non-compliance with prior commitments. Mohsen Naziri-e Asl, Iran’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that their actions violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and undermine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), making their claims invalid.
Despite Iran’s commitment to non-proliferation and its intention to fully restore its commitments under the JCPOA, this is contingent upon the United States and Europe lifting sanctions in a credible manner. Naziri-e Asl highlighted that Iran has demonstrated significant patience and restraint, yet has observed little benefit from its compliance with the agreement.
Russia, represented by Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov, also condemned the European Troika’s efforts as illegitimate. Ulyanov urged the nations to abandon what he termed “illusions” regarding the reinstatement of sanctions and to focus on diplomacy instead. He noted that the JCPOA relies on mutual respect among parties and criticized the United States for previously violating Resolution 2231 through its withdrawal from the deal in 2018.
Ulyanov underscored that the three European countries have aligned with U.S. sanctions, which invalidates their claims to activate the snapback mechanism. He pointed out that Iran’s uranium enrichment activities are a lawful response to failures in diplomatic engagements and international commitments. Ulyanov also reaffirmed that should a country violate its obligations under Resolution 2231, it forfeits its right to invoke the snapback provisions of the JCPOA.
Citing the extensive monitoring Iran is subject to by the IAEA, with oversight costs notably high, Ulyanov criticized the European nations for their threats of snapback sanctions. He warned that undue escalation and military threats could precipitate severe crises, and emphasized that diplomacy should guide the resolution of disputes.
Iran remains committed to engaging diplomatically concerning the JCPOA, contingent upon tangible sanctions relief. Despite the failure of revival talks and a series of Western demands, Iran has maintained negotiations with the IAEA, signaling a preference for diplomatic resolution. Following past administrations’ pressure for snapback actions, tensions escalated, particularly as the European parties demanded detailed reporting on Iran’s activities by 2025, which Tehran regarded as antagonistic.
In light of these threats, Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi cautioned that Iran might exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if the snapback mechanism is fully employed. This statement came after the Geneva meetings with representatives from the UK, France, and Germany, reflecting Iran’s serious concerns regarding its nuclear commitments and future negotiations.
The recent assertions by Iran regarding the European Troika’s attempts to invoke the snapback mechanism underscore significant legal and diplomatic complexities surrounding the JCPOA. Iran’s commitment to restore prior agreements hinges on the lifting of sanctions by the U.S. and Europe, while Russia’s support further complicates the landscape. The interplay of patience, diplomatic readiness, and potential retaliation raises critical questions about international nuclear governance and the future of non-proliferation efforts.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
