Rational, flexible diplomacy ...
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Should snapback be triggered, conditions will tighten: all UN sanctions would be reinstated, the issue would be referred to the UN Security Council, and Iran might fall under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. At the same time, Iran must display initiative in its talks with various parties, in order to pull the nuclear file and sanctions relief out of the current compressive state.
Western media report that Europe has offered a six‑month pause on snapback activation—this could open a window for diplomacy, provided Iran moves away from top‑down diplomacy at the negotiation table. If these six months are treated as a genuine opportunity, Iran must take fresh and different steps. A new political structure is needed to ease off tensions with the West and resolve outstanding issues.
In fact, Iran faces a technical dispute with Europe and a security anxiety with the United States. Both remain unresolved. Europeans are generally more flexible than the Americans, but US policy is heavily influenced by pro‑Israeli lobbying. Behind the scenes, the US and Israel are covertly pressuring Europe to provoke snapback of sanctions. Many American senators are pressuring Europe to do so. In such a climate, Iran continues to deal with marginal domestic and foreign policy issues—but it must accept that policy is time‑ and context‑dependent. Today, Iran needs to lean on more rational and flexible diplomacy.
A major critique of current foreign policy is the lack of initiative and diversified scenarios. The best initiative now would be to reduce the current tensions surrounding IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Neither he is coming to Iran, nor is Iran prepared, given certain stances, to host him. However, his deputy and a proposed expert team are scheduled to visit Iran. Hopefully Iran will agree so they can see first‑hand the state of its nuclear facilities following Israeli and US military strikes. Iran could allow inspectors to return within a reasonable timeframe—under appropriate security and safety protocols—so they can prepare an acceptable report. Such a report could reduce tension between Iran, Europe, and the United States, opening new avenues for fresh negotiations.