WANA (Sep 07) – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, strongly criticized the recent move by the three European countries—Britain, France, and Germany—to trigger the UN snapback mechanism against Iran. Writing in an op-ed for The Guardian, he described the decision as “legally baseless” and “counterproductive,” warning that it undermines Europe’s diplomatic credibility.

 

Pointing to more than two decades of European crisis-making around Iran’s nuclear program, Araghchi wrote: “Europe, which once played a moderating role in containing the United States, has now become an enabler of Washington’s excesses.” He argued that these three states, by disregarding the U.S.’s unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal (JCPOA) and backing the recent military strike against Iran, are seeking to obscure reality from global public opinion while abandoning their own commitments under the accord.

 

Araghchi added: “Such actions not only fail to resolve disputes, but also turn the game against Europe itself, pushing it to the margins of forward-looking diplomacy.” Recalling Europe’s past dealings with Iran over nuclear issues, he noted that Europe has never been able to withstand U.S. pressure, which led to the loss of key diplomatic opportunities.

 

Criticizing Europe’s one-sided expectations of Iran, he wrote: “It is logically impossible to claim participation in the nuclear agreement while simultaneously demanding Iran halt enrichment. Open support for illegal military attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities is no sign of partnership either.”

 

The foreign minister stressed that Iran remains ready to reach a genuine and sustainable agreement—one that includes strict monitoring and enrichment limits in exchange for lifting sanctions—but warned: “Europe’s refusal to change course could have devastating consequences for the region and beyond.”

 

Araghchi concluded his op-ed with a cautionary note: “If Europe and the United States truly seek a diplomatic solution, they must give diplomacy the time and space it needs. The alternative will be anything but pleasant.”

Diplomacy Against the Snapback Mechanism . JCPOA

Diplomacy Against the Snapback Mechanism . JCPOA