Tehran warns of firm response if snapback mechanism invoked
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeed Iravani warned that any threat by the West to invoke the snapback mechanism to reinstate previous sanctions would be met with a firm response from Tehran.
In a letter to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the UN Security Council Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Iravani said his letter is a response to a letter by France, Germany, and the UK, known as E3, which accused Iran of non-compliance with its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement and alleged violations of UNSC Resolution 2231.
Iravani said the three European countries had disregarded their ongoing violations of their commitments, while baselessly accusing the Iran of non-compliance with its commitments under the landmark deal.
The Iranian diplomat said the root cause of the current situation surrounding the nuclear deal stems from the United States’ unilateral withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 and the subsequent failure of the E3/EU to fulfill their obligations.
“Iran remains unwavering in its commitment to its obligations under the NPT, which unequivocally guarantees the inalienable right of all countries to develop, research, produce, and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.”
Iravani said that Iran will never compromise on its legitimate and inalienable rights.
“Consequently, any threats to invoke the so-called “snapback” are counterproductive and will provoke a firm response from Iran,” he said.
Britain, France and Germany in a joint statement on Tuesday urged Iran to “immediately halt its nuclear escalation” after the UN nuclear watchdog reported Tehran had sharply stepped up its uranium enrichment activity.
“We, the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, condemn Iran’s latest steps... to expand its nuclear program,” the three countries said.
Berlin, London and Paris, who along with the US have held talks with Iran, said they “strongly urge Iran to reverse these steps, and to immediately halt its nuclear escalation.”
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently said Iran is increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%.
Iran insists on its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and has consistently denied any ambition of developing weapons-related capabilities.