Tehran Reacts to European Move Toward Snapback Mechanism on Iran
WANA (Aug 29) – Tensions around Iran’s nuclear file escalated this week after Britain, France, and Germany announced on Thursday that they had triggered the 30-day process to reimpose U.N. sanctions on Tehran, citing disputes over the country’s nuclear program.
The move, known as the “snapback mechanism,” comes just two months after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, and is expected to fuel further friction. According to diplomatic sources, the U.N. Security Council will convene behind closed doors on Friday to review the request.
In Tehran, the development quickly drew reactions. During today’s Friday prayers, the preacher Haj Ali Akbari strongly criticized the European initiative, calling it “an illegal, immoral, and political action under U.S. and Zionist pressure.” He argued that Britain, France, and Germany were acting as “proxy forces” for Israel and the U.S. He also described the move as “a symbolic action to cover up the defeat suffered by America and Israel in the recent battle.” Akbari warned that the decision would carry consequences, not only for Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency but also for international security, while claiming it further damaged Europe’s credibility.
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This was the first official reaction from a religious figure to the European announcement. Outside the prayer hall, citizens also shared their views on the issue. Yasin Asadi, a resident of Tehran, said he had no expectations from Western governments but hoped Iranian officials would act “more reasonably” and prioritize the daily lives and well-being of their people over ideology.
Others, like Mohsen Kollahboland, expressed concern about the economic impact, pointing to the immediate rise in the gold and dollar markets following the snapback announcement. “Whenever these two go up, everything goes up, and there is a lot of pressure on the lower classes,” he said. While acknowledging that Iran should defend itself, he urged a balance between resistance and peaceful diplomacy to avoid further strain on ordinary citizens.
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Another citizen, Ehsan Darabi, argued that European governments were not the actual decision-makers in this process, saying, “These lines come from somewhere else.” He urged Iranian officials to act with discretion, focusing on protecting people from additional hardship. “The people have reached a threshold of patience,” he added. On the nuclear issue, however, Darabi stressed that Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy and should defend that right while engaging in international interactions.
The reactions reveal mixed feelings among both officials and ordinary Iranians: while religious leaders frame the European move as political pressure, citizens are increasingly voicing concerns over the economic fallout and urging leaders to prioritize the well-being of the population.
People walk past a mural with a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 29, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
