Iran Warns Europe Sanctions Snapback Ends Nuclear Role

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a stern warning to European countries, particularly the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, that reactivating the "snapback" sanctions mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal would end their role in Iran's nuclear negotiations. He emphasized that invoking snapback would complicate efforts to resolve the nuclear issue and mark a lasting blemish on Europe-Iran relations. The snapback mechanism, part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), allows for reinstating UN sanctions if violations occur, including arms embargoes and financial restrictions. Despite ongoing tensions and recent military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States, Araghchi affirmed Iran's commitment to diplomacy while rejecting any agreement that limits its uranium enrichment or military capabilities. He also highlighted the risks to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors due to security threats at Iranian nuclear sites. Iran maintains that restoring UN sanctions would have limited additional impact amid existing U.S. sanctions and that Europe still has a diplomatic role if it avoids snapback activation.