New york: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the snapback mechanism activated against Iran is illegal and will fail, just as military attacks against the country have failed in the past. The top Iranian diplomat made the remarks Friday at the UN Security Council stakeout after a meeting in which the Council voted on the return of sanctions against Iran under the snapback mechanism initiated by Britain, France, and Germany, collectively known as the E3.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araghchi addressed journalists following the Security Council’s decision and highlighted key points regarding Iran’s stance on the issue. He emphasized that Iran has been a responsible member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for over two decades, pursuing its right to peaceful nuclear energy with transparency. Araghchi reminded that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was reached in 2015 after two years of negotiations and was unanimously endorsed by Resolution 2231, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issuing 15 consecutive reports confirming Iran’s full compliance.
Araghchi criticized the United States for its withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, labeling it a violation of Resolution 2231 without legal grounds or justification. Despite remaining compliant for a year, Iran took remedial measures only after the E3 failed to honor their promises. He asserted that today’s crisis is a direct result of the US withdrawal and Europe’s inaction, accusing the US and the E3 of misrepresenting Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and echoing false claims by Israel.
Araghchi condemned the continued use of sanctions, assassinations, and bombings of IAEA-monitored facilities against Iran, reiterating that Iran has not violated the JCPOA, the NPT, or its Safeguards obligations. He detailed Iran’s response to US calls for dialogue, including five rounds of talks marred by attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and scientists, acts he described as state terrorism.
Despite Iran’s signing of a new memorandum with the IAEA and international support for it, Araghchi noted that Iran’s constructive proposals were ignored in New York, with Russia and China acting responsibly by proposing a six-month extension of Resolution 2231 to preserve diplomacy. He accused the E3 and the US of blocking this effort, stating that their actions demonstrate a preference for confrontation over dialogue.
Araghchi firmly stated that the snapback mechanism is illegal, void, and has no standing, asserting that the E3, having breached the deal, cannot claim ‘significant non-performance.’ He warned against any attempts to revive or extend Resolution 2231 restrictions, which are set to expire permanently on October 18, 2025, calling such actions null and void.
He called on the Security Council President to declare the decision illegal and urged the Secretary-General to avoid any role in reviving expired sanctions, warning that those who pursue this unlawful path will bear full responsibility for damaging the UN’s credibility and impacting the Iranian people.
Araghchi concluded by emphasizing that military attacks have failed and that the snapback mechanism will fail as well, advocating dialogue as the only solution. He asserted that Iran will never bow to pressure and will respond only to respect, placing the responsibility on those who broke their commitments and undermined international law.