WANA (Dec 09) – Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, during a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and a meeting with its senior officials, addressed recent claims about activating the snapback mechanism, describing them as “a joke.”

 

He urged Western parties to abandon provocations, emphasizing Iran’s strategy of “action for action” and “measure for measure.” He added, “We are open to negotiation and dialogue, but we do not yield to extortion.”

 

During his visit on Monday morning, the Vice President toured an exhibition of AEOI’s achievements, receiving briefings from AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami and other experts on advancements in nuclear technology across sectors such as medicine, agriculture, environment, and power generation. He later participated in a cordial meeting with senior managers of the organization.

 

He criticized the West’s double standards, stating, “While Western countries encouraged their allies to develop nuclear technology, they imposed sanctions on us for pursuing the same.

 

Colonialism inherently reveals its exploitative nature, and we clearly see these double standards today. Despite these sanctions and pressures, since the Islamic Revolution, the West has failed to achieve its goals against Iran.”

 

The Vice President highlighted Iran’s resilience, noting, “Despite all the pressures, we have progressed across various industries, thanks to the efforts of our scientists and experts in the AEOI. Advanced nuclear technology is, in our view, the ‘father of Iran’s advanced technologies.'”

 

He affirmed Iran’s willingness to resolve issues with the West based on mutual interests, emphasizing, “Negotiations aim to lift unjust sanctions, but we will continue our peaceful nuclear activities.

 

We categorically declare that no one will be allowed to interfere in our nuclear or non-nuclear affairs. Decisions are ours to make, and for us, human life holds the utmost value, as reflected in the Quran, which equates unjustly taking one life to killing all of humanity.”

 

The Vice President reiterated Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA, stating, “We have not left the JCPOA, and if other parties return to their commitments, we are ready too.

 

Iran has consistently fulfilled its safeguard obligations and maintained transparency. However, we will not share our information indiscriminately with those whose intentions are unclear. No country allows such violations of sovereignty—Germany, for instance, wouldn’t allow the French to inspect its sensitive facilities.”

 

He criticized the politicization of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying, “The IAEA must adhere to its principles and agreements with Iran, focusing on monitoring rather than being used for political goals by the West. If they follow this approach, we will continue to cooperate.”

 

Regarding the snapback mechanism, he remarked, “This idea has been tested countless times, particularly during Trump’s era, and they have always witnessed our strength.

 

While we are open to negotiations, we never bow to pressure. Iran is now the leading regional power, and even during the early years of the Revolution, when we had minimal resources, we never backed down despite global opposition.”

 

The Vice President highlighted national unity in the face of challenges, stating, “While we may have disagreements in moral, cultural, or governance issues when national matters arise, the people unite. Ideological divides, such as reformist or conservative, become irrelevant, and everyone stands behind the revolution and its values. Consider the massive turnout for the funeral of General Qassem Soleimani in recent years as an example.”

 

He acknowledged internal mistakes, saying, “Sometimes we create division by imposing partisan views, but the path demonstrated during General Soleimani’s funeral represents the true strategy of the system.

 

Disagreements can drive progress, provided we never forget the fundamental principle: the protection of the people. As long as the people support the system, no external force can harm us.”

 

Concluding, he warned, “If they pursue activating the snapback mechanism, it would spell the complete death of the JCPOA. In such a scenario, we will prioritize our own interests. The Western parties must cease their provocations. Our strategy remains ‘action for action’ and ‘measure for measure.'”