Iran condemns Europe's trigger of sanctions snapback

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the move “unjustified, illegal, and lacking any legal basis” and stressed that Iran will respond appropriately to protect its national rights and interests.

The snapback process, a veto-proof measure embedded in the 2015 nuclear deal, was initiated despite Tehran’s continued commitment to diplomacy and transparency, said Araghchi.

“Iran has acted responsibly and in good faith in adhering to diplomacy for resolving nuclear-related issues,” Araghchi said, stressing that Iran’s stance remains firm in defending its legal rights under international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond appropriately to this unlawful and unwarranted measure by the three European countries to protect its national rights and interests,” Araghchi said.

The three countries, in coordination with the EU’s foreign policy chief, formally notified Iran by phone on Thursday of their intention to inform the UN Security Council to begin the “dispute resolution” process under the JCPOA framework.

This move sets a 30-day countdown aimed at potentially reimposing UN sanctions on Tehran, suspended since the 2015 accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Araghchi expressed hope that the European countries would reconsider and reverse their decision.

“We hope the three European countries will, by adopting a responsible approach and understanding existing realities, properly correct their wrong move in the coming days.”

The “snapback” mechanism, designed during negotiations for the JCPOA, allows any participant to declare non-compliance by Iran and automatically restore UN sanctions without the possibility of a Security Council veto.

The reimposition of sanctions would include freezing Iranian assets abroad, banning arms sales, and targeting Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Iran has consistently rejected renewed sanctions, insisting its nuclear program is peaceful and compliant with international obligations. 

Since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, Tehran has progressively reduced its voluntary cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the Europeans’ failure to support the Islamic Republic under the agreement as a means to circumvent US sanctions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that if the snapback proceeds, Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA will end.

“If they opt for snapback, it makes no sense for Iran to continue working with them,” he said.

Iran says European countries neither have the legal right nor the moral authority to trigger the “snapback” mechanism.

Meanwhile, Russia is said to have circulated a draft resolution that proposes extending the current arrangement. Under Moscow’s plan, the snapback provision would be prolonged but prevented from being activated for at least six months.