Iran condemns European powers after France, Germany, and the United Kingdom activated the “snapback” mechanism to restore UN sanctions on Tehran’s nuclear program.
In a statement released Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the action was “legally void” and inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The ministry added that the European states “have no legal or moral right” to trigger the mechanism since they themselves violated commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also criticized the decision, calling it “unjustified, illegal, and lacking any legal basis.” He warned that Tehran would “respond appropriately” and cautioned that the move could damage Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) while weakening the credibility of the UN Security Council.
The three European powers, known as the E3, defended their step. In a joint statement, they claimed Iran had failed to meet its nuclear obligations, triggering the snapback clause of Resolution 2231. This opens a 30-day window before previous UN sanctions could be reinstated.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015, was designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It placed strict limits on uranium enrichment and allowed international monitoring.
Tensions between Iran and the West have already been high. In June, Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran, targeting nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, followed by US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The 12-day conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on June 24.
By rejecting the E3 decision, Iran condemns European powers for what it views as a deliberate attempt to undermine its rights under the nuclear agreement. The dispute adds further strain to already fragile relations between Tehran and Western states.
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