WANA (Jul 25) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described today’s meeting (Friday, July 25) between Iran and the three European parties to the JCPOA as a significant opportunity to revise past approaches and a test of the European countries’ realism regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

 

Referring to the previous conduct of the three European states, the spokesperson expressed hope that they would use this opportunity to correct their unconstructive positions—stances that have undermined Europe’s credibility and role in the negotiation process.

Foreign Ministers of the European Troika. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Iran Renews Objection to Europe’s Biased Positions

The spokesperson also voiced regret over the European countries’ alignment with U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, stating that such misguided stances have placed Europe in the position of justifying illegality and aggression. The Islamic Republic of Iran has previously objected to these positions and will officially communicate its protest to the European parties during today’s meeting.

 

Europe Lacks Legal Standing to Invoke JCPOA Mechanisms

He further criticized the repeated threats by the three European countries to trigger the so-called “snapback” mechanism, emphasizing that these states have no legal basis for such a move. He noted that by continuously violating their JCPOA commitments, they have eroded their own status as participants in the agreement. According to the spokesperson, their explicit or tacit support for military strikes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities constitutes a blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and disqualifies them, from a legal standpoint, from invoking JCPOA mechanisms.

 

He added that given the lack of any legal legitimacy to reinstate sanctions, proposals such as the extension of Resolution 2231 are unfounded and unacceptable from Iran’s perspective.

Nuclear deal negotiators pose for a photo at the UN building in Vienna, Austria.

Iran’s Remedial Measures Are Legal and Based on the JCPOA

The spokesperson reaffirmed that Iran’s remedial measures were adopted a full year after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and were a direct response to Washington’s violations—as well as those of the three European countries. These steps were taken within the framework of the agreement itself. Therefore, any accusations that Iran has breached its commitments are baseless, especially coming from countries that are themselves the primary violators of the deal and Resolution 2231.

 

Israeli Pressure and European Compliance

Highlighting the destructive role of the Israeli regime, the spokesperson warned that Israel— the region’s sole possessor of nuclear weapons and a declared enemy of the nuclear agreement—is now attempting to interfere in European policymaking. He posed a critical question: are European countries willing to further sacrifice their international credibility for the sake of this regime’s interests?

 

Iran’s Position on Cooperation with the IAEA

In another part of his remarks, the spokesperson addressed Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that the reduction in cooperation is a direct result of unlawful actions by the U.S. and Israel, which have attacked Iran’s peaceful facilities in violation of the UN Charter and international norms. He emphasized that such attacks have seriously jeopardized nuclear safety and security, and that the international community must hold the perpetrators accountable.

IAEA and Israel - WANA

IAEA and Israel – WANA

Parliamentary Law Defines Iran’s Framework for IAEA Cooperation

He added that Iran remains a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. However, the current framework for cooperation with the IAEA is defined by recent legislation passed by Iran’s parliament, which conditions any further cooperation on prior approval from the Supreme National Security Council.

 

Upcoming Visit by a Senior IAEA Official to Tehran

In conclusion, the spokesperson announced plans for an upcoming visit to Tehran by the IAEA’s Deputy Director General in the coming weeks. The purpose of this visit will be to negotiate a new framework for cooperation between Iran and the Agency. He clarified that the visit will not include inspections of nuclear facilities damaged in recent attacks.