E3’s snapback move will damage Europe’s int’l credibility: Iran FM

The Iranian foreign minister says the “politically destructive” move by Britain, France, and Germany to reinstate UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic will inflict “irreparable damage” on Europe’s international standing and credibility, urging the trio to change course.

In an opinion piece published by The Jakarta Post, Abbas Araghchi said the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal severely compromised Europe’s international position by invoking the so-called snapback mechanism, a 30-day process to restore all anti-Iran sanctions lifted under the US-abandoned Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“In this venture, the three European states will not only fail to achieve their objectives but will also find themselves excluded from future diplomatic processes,” he added.

“If this brief window of opportunity to alter course is squandered, the consequences will be grave and far-reaching for both West Asia and the international system. Such consequences will undermine the integrity and credibility of international agreements and destabilize the foundations of collective security.”

The top Iranian diplomat also noted that the three European countries failed to uphold their own commitments under the JCPOA and thus their snapback measure lacks legal and legitimate foundations.

He further cited the unilateral US withdrawal in 2018 and the Europeans’ subsequent alignment with Washington’s unlawful sanctions as events that compelled Tehran to take lawful remedial steps under the JCPOA.

Iran to Europeans: You lack legal jurisdiction to trigger snapback

Iran has rejected efforts by Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—to reinstate UN sanctions lifted under Resolution 2231 (2015), calling the move “invalid and ineffective.”

Meanwhile, Araghchi censured the three European countries for supporting the unlawful US strikes against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities back in June.

He asserted Iran’s inalienable right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and expressed the country’s readiness to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue on the matter.

“Iran has consistently demonstrated, with the utmost restraint, its enduring commitment to resolving issues related to its peaceful nuclear activities through diplomacy and negotiation, with the aim of achieving a new and equitable agreement,” he said.

“Such an agreement must, with full respect for Iran’s sovereignty and the rights of the Iranian people, within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), address all mutual concerns, including the unjust sanctions that have targeted the livelihood and welfare of the Iranian nation.”

Additionally in his article, Araghchi referred to the Egypt-mediated agreement signed between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) earlier this month.

He said the deal constitutes yet another chapter in Iran’s diplomatic efforts to resolve matters related to its peaceful nuclear activities.

The accord “shall remain valid only so long as no hostile actions are undertaken against Iran, including the reinstatement of annulled Security Council resolutions. Otherwise, Iran shall deem its practical commitments nullified,” he warned.

Muslim unity against Israel

Moreover, the Iranian foreign minister underscored the need for unity among Islamic countries in undertaking a comprehensive struggle against Israel as the regime expands its crimes in West Asia.

He also condemned the passivity of international institutions in the face of the Zionist regime’s repeated violations of international law.

Israel’s recent acts of aggression against five Arab countries, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar and Yemen, have once again laid bare the regime’s “savage and expansionist nature in pursuit of its long-standing dream of ‘seizing all the lands between the Nile and Euphrates'”, he wrote. 

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