Russia Condemns European Threats of Snapback Sanctions Against Iran

Russia has criticized the threats from Britain, France, and Germany regarding the snapback mechanism of the Iran deal as irresponsible and unlawful. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, concerns mounted over Iran’s nuclear commitments. Russia calls for dialogue, urging European nations to take responsibility for the situation they created, while the EU emphasizes the need for effective engagement with Iran.

Russia has criticized the warnings from Britain, France, and Germany regarding the potential reimposition of sanctions on Iran as “irresponsible” and “unlawful.” Russian officials have called for these countries to redirect their efforts towards resolving the circumstances that they themselves have contributed to. The snapback mechanism, established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), enables any party to reactivate United Nations sanctions against Iran should it breach the agreement.

In 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA unilaterally and pursued a policy of maximum pressure against Iran, while the remaining signatories—including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China—failed to protect Iran’s interests as outlined in the deal. Following a year of waiting for European nations to mitigate the effects of U.S. sanctions, Iran commenced scaling back its nuclear obligations, in accordance with provisions within the JCPOA.

During a discussion at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, stated that the European nations, having breached their commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA, are attempting to blame Iran for their failure in resurrecting the agreement. He remarked, “We consider such rhetoric not only irresponsible, but also unlawful.”

Ulyanov recommended that the trio from Europe cease their discussions about the snapback mechanism and instead concentrate on formulating a political and diplomatic resolution to the situation they have generated. Simultaneously, the European Union’s Ambassador, Carl Hallergard, reiterated the EU’s dedication to seeking a diplomatic resolution to the challenges surrounding the JCPOA, implicating Iran for escalating nuclear proliferation risks in the region.

Hallergard emphasized that Iran has significantly deviated from its JCPOA commitments, while neglecting to address the violations committed by other signatories of the agreement. He urged Iran to engage productively with the IAEA and supported the efforts of IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in promoting constructive engagement to facilitate vital cooperation and resolve urgent issues.

In summary, Russia has condemned the European countries’ threats regarding sanction snapback against Iran, advocating for diplomatic efforts to resolve the current tensions. The situation has emerged from a series of complex negotiations, particularly after the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. Both Russia and the EU are emphasizing the need for dialogue, while Iran is being urged to fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Original Source: en.mehrnews.com