WANA (Aug 28) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs emphasized: “The Europeans are not in a legal position to activate the snapback mechanism, and there is no legal basis for such an action.”

 

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, on Wednesday evening referred to his meeting the previous day along with Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, with officials from the three European countries — the UK, Germany, and France — as well as the representative of the European Union in Geneva, saying:

 

“We had lengthy negotiations with the European parties and the EU representative, and the main focus of the discussions was UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — a subject about which Europeans have recently been making statements.”

 

The Deputy Minister added, “These issues were discussed in detail and at length. We explained clearly from a legal perspective that they have no standing or legal basis to activate the snapback mechanism, and we set this out fully for them.”

 

The senior Iranian diplomat, referring to Europe’s record in recent years, said: “Although they hold a different view, the reality is that Europeans have not implemented the JCPOA for seven years. Yet, with complete audacity, they claim they have fulfilled their commitments. We told them: If you have truly implemented the JCPOA, then present a report showing what actions you have taken.”

 

“The available indicators and data demonstrate that not only have Europeans failed to fulfill the JCPOA over the past seven years, but they have even imposed new sanctions. The latest example of such sanctions was introduced a few months ago against Iran’s shipping and aviation industries, he added.”

 

In remarks to state media, Gharibabadi stressed: “From a legal standpoint, these countries have no right to use the snapback mechanism.”

 

He continued: “A month ago, the Europeans raised the idea of an extension, but we reminded them that the competence for such an issue lies with the UN Security Council, and any decision must be taken within that framework.”

 

Referring to the joint position of Russia and China at the Security Council, he added: “We made it clear to the Europeans that if they seek to misuse this path and ignore Iran’s goodwill and diplomatic efforts, the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver the necessary response. Should they send a letter, Iran will also submit its warnings and countermeasures to the Security Council.”

 

Gharibabadi further warned: “If such a step is taken, Iran’s current path of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency will come to a halt, and there will no longer be any meaning to continued interaction. In such a situation, Europe will also remove itself from the dialogue with Iran and will have to engage solely with the members of the Security Council.”

 

At the same time, he underlined: “Iran’s readiness for engagement and the continuation of diplomatic contacts remains. The choice lies with Europe: either to pursue confrontation or the path of dialogue and cooperation. If they choose legal and political misuse, Iran will respond as necessary. We hope the Europeans act reasonably and based on diplomacy.”

 

In another part of his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister addressed the issue of inspections, saying: “Claims about the restart of inspection processes in Iran are not true. The law passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly is clear in this regard. The presence of several IAEA inspectors took place solely with legal permits and for the purpose of monitoring the loading and change of fuel at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which occurs under the Iran–Russia agreement and with the requirement of Agency oversight. Without this inspection, the functioning of the plant would be disrupted.”

 

He added: “The main decision-making regarding engagement with the Agency lies with the Supreme National Security Council, and any potential agreement must pass through this legal process. Negotiations with the Agency are underway to establish new arrangements, but no final text has been reached yet, and only ideas have been exchanged between the two sides. Iran’s principled positions must be incorporated into any agreement.”

 

Gharibabadi concluded: “Up to this moment, no new inspection process has been initiated, and only the specific case of Bushehr has been carried out according to law. If the Europeans take political action, even these ongoing talks with the Agency will be affected.”