TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut has firmly rejected attempts by European troika (France, Germany, UK) to trigger a so-called “snapback” mechanism based on Iran’s nuclear deal in 2015, saying that such a move is “null and ofid” in light of E3’s own violations and abandonment.
In a detailed letter addressed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, members of the UN Security Council, and EU Foreign Policy Director Kaja Karas, Aragucci submitted legal and political arguments that rebutted the legitimacy of E3’s claim to invoke a mechanism of conflict under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the United Nations Security Council resolution 2231.
“E3 lacks the legal, political and moral status to invoke the mechanisms of JCPOA and UN Resolution 2231 (2015),” Araghchi wrote on his official X account.
Iranian diplomats argued that the three European countries have long confiscated their status as “participants” in the JCPOA by failing to fulfill their obligations and supporting hostile actions against Iran, including recent military attacks by Israel and the United States.
“Through their actions and statements, including providing political and material support for the recent provocative and illegal military attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States, E3, which refused to reject the JCPOA’s main pillars, has released its role as a ‘participant’ in the agreement,” he added.
Araguchi emphasized that Iran caused the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) in 2018 after Washington’s withdrawal, running out of all legal channels before resorting to relying on remedies nuclear measures. He accused E3 of not only failing to maintain their duties, but also of in line with the US “maximum pressure” campaign.
He also cited an official statement by European leaders, in Iran’s view, which amounts to recognition of Israeli war crimes.
“The shameful statement by German Prime Minister Mertz, ‘This is the dirty work that Israel does for all of us’, is a clear recognition of guilt and accomplice,” the letter said.
Aragucci further denounced France for direct military involvement by shooting down Iranian drones, and blamed Britain for the silence and support of Tel Aviv’s recent operation, which killed more than 1,000 Iranian civilians.
According to top diplomats, these actions amount to violations of international law, stripping E3 of their credibility as an honest broker in nuclear negotiations.
“Actors with such records should be the last actor to assert ‘integrity’,” Araguchi said in X, adding that “an attempt to restore a UN Security Council’s dismissed resolution is legally unfounded and politically dangerous.”
The letter comes amidst the rise of tensions following Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and civil infrastructure.