E3 Not in a Position to Trigger Snapback Mechanism
WANA (Jun 11) – Iran’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that the three European parties to the JCPOA—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—are in no legal or moral position to activate the deal’s dispute resolution mechanism, given their own serious violations of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA.
Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, made these remarks on Wednesday during the IAEA Board of Governors’ session on the Agency’s report concerning the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2231.
Najafi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear activities, including enrichment and stockpiling at various levels, are entirely peaceful, fall within the country’s inalienable rights under the NPT, and remain under the IAEA’s safeguards and verification mechanisms.
He underscored that as a committed NPT member, the Islamic Republic of Iran—guided by its strategic calculations and inspired by the Supreme Leader’s religious decree (fatwa)—does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons.
The Iranian diplomat noted that following the JCPOA’s conclusion, Iran fully complied with its nuclear commitments and even cooperated with the IAEA beyond its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, including implementation of the Additional Protocol. However, a year after the U.S. unilaterally and unlawfully withdrew from the deal—and once it became evident that Washington would not return to compliance and the E3 continued to neglect their obligations—Iran began to gradually implement remedial measures under Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA.
Iran’s Right to Enrichment Must Be Recognized
Najafi also expressed serious concerns about the content of the Director General’s report, stating that its findings regarding the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2231 must not be viewed in isolation from the underlying causes of the current situation regarding the resolution and the nuclear deal.
He reiterated that as an NPT member, the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys the “inalienable right to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes”—including uranium enrichment. Regardless of the level or scale of these activities, they remain under IAEA monitoring and, therefore, “cannot and should not be considered a serious concern.”
In response to threats by the E3 to trigger the snapback mechanism, Najafi said: “The three European states and the EU have severely violated the JCPOA and UNSC Resolution 2231 by imposing sanctions and restrictive measures on Iran. Moreover, their decision to refrain from lifting specific sanctions on the JCPOA Transition Day in October 2023 constitutes a blatant violation of their core obligations.”
He concluded that “given these serious breaches, the three European countries are in no legal or moral position to invoke the JCPOA’s dispute resolution mechanism or that of Resolution 2231.”
Allegations by E3 Against Iran
WANA (Jun 11) – At the recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, the UK representative—speaking on behalf of the three European parties to the JCPOA (the UK, France, and Germany)—delivered a statement critical of Iran, accusing Tehran of accelerating its nuclear activities and further deviating from its JCPOA commitments, […]
A Diplomatic Agreement Still Within Reach
Najafi also warned that “any actions against UNSC Resolution 2231 or its established timeline—such as the imposition of new sanctions or restrictions by the Security Council—would have serious consequences. Should such a scenario unfold, Iran’s response will be firm, and the United States and the E3 will bear full responsibility.”
He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has seriously and constructively engaged with other JCPOA participants and continues indirect negotiations with the United States. “Through five rounds of talks, Iran has demonstrated its genuine willingness to achieve a fair, sustainable, and effective agreement—one that provides credible assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and guarantees the effective and verifiable lifting of sanctions.”
Najafi concluded by stating: “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that if its inherent rights, including domestic enrichment, are respected and recognized, a diplomatic agreement remains achievable.”
