Russia has condemned Britain, France, and Germany for threatening to restore sanctions against Iran, labeling such actions as detrimental and unlawful. The call comes amid ongoing challenges related to the JCPOA following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, with Iran having since reduced its nuclear commitments while awaiting support from the European parties. Diplomatic solutions are being emphasized as crucial to addressing the current crisis surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities.
Russia has characterized the threats issued by Britain, France, and Germany to reactivate sanctions against Iran as both “irresponsible” and “unlawful.” The Russian government has urged these nations to shift their focus toward resolving a situation they have contributed to creating.
The 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), contains a snapback mechanism which grants any signatory the authority to reinstate UN sanctions should Iran breach the pact. However, following the United States’ withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, this mechanism’s relevance has shifted dramatically.
The U.S. implemented a stringent “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, while Britain, France, and Germany have struggled to ensure the enforcement of Iran’s rights under the JCPOA. After a year of unmet promises from the European powers, Iran began to diminish its nuclear commitments as a proportional response according to the agreement’s provisions.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors assembly, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, condemned the European trio’s threats regarding sanction snapback as further violations of their commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA. He emphasized the need for these nations to abandon their threats and instead work towards a diplomatic resolution.
In response, Carl Hallergard, the European Union’s Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna, affirmed the EU’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution concerning the JCPOA. He attributed the increased risk of nuclear proliferation to Iran’s significant departures from its commitments and urged Iran to collaborate more effectively with the IAEA.
Russia has firmly criticized the threats from Britain, France, and Germany to trigger sanctions against Iran, insisting that these nations are to blame for the current diplomatic impasse due to their failure to uphold the JCPOA. The ongoing tensions underscore the complexities of international negotiations and the urgent need for a cooperative approach to restore stability to the nuclear agreement. The situation remains pivotal for global peace and security.
Original Source: en.mehrnews.com