Copy in clipboard...
Araghchi: Triggering snapback tantamount to military aggression
In an interview with Le Monde, the Iranian foreign minister said that activating the "snapback" mechanism would mark the end of France and Europe's role in the issue of Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
“We support the constructive role of the three European countries [France, Germany, and the UK] in rebuilding the JCPOA (Iran 2015 nuclear deal), provided they avoid provocative and unconstructive actions such as threatening the "snapback" mechanism, which would have the same effect as a military attack”, Araghchi said.
The so-called snapback mechanism allows for the return of anti-Iran sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew in 2018 and its European parties failed to fulfill their commitments under the deal.
The Iranian foreign minister added that the threat of sanctions does not help diplomacy. If Europe truly seeks to play a central role, it must demonstrate independence and neutrality.
In recent months, the three European countries which are the signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, have repeatedly threatened to activate the mechanism against Iran on different excuses.
In a latest warning, the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday raised the alarm that European nations will act to impose “dramatic sanctions” on Iran in the coming weeks if it does not end what he called the uncertainty about its nuclear program, including by allowing the return of UN inspectors.
His warning was echoed by the French Foreign Ministry, which is working closely with the UK in this regard.
The UK, France and Germany – the E3 – signed the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 and according to its terms can impose “snapback” UN sanctions without the risk of a security council veto, so long as they act by its expiry in October. Alternatively, they could table a UN resolution to delay the snapback by some months if Iran shows willingness to negotiate.
The three countries are also using their power to reimpose UN sanctions as a lever to persuade the US to join the talks with the Iranians, but have so far had no success.