TEHRAN – A high-level, informed Iranian source told the Tehran Times that reimposing Tehran sanctions to activate the conflicting “snapback” mechanism would force a “very strong” response from Iran, seriously hit global non-proliferation efforts, and permanently destroy the Dipramasy pathway.
On condition of anonymity, the source said the Western province miscalculates Iran’s resolve and operates under the “recognition” that Tehran does not respond forcefully to such a move. “We’re looking at leaving snapback unanswered as a path to greater tension,” the source said.
The so-called snapback mechanism is a provision of nuclear trade in 2015 known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Signatories feel that if they reinstated UN sanctions on Iran, they have not violated them. Iranians argue that it is illegal and immoral to activate snapbacks under current circumstances. In 2018, the US left the agreement, reimposed sanctions, Europeans subsequently abolished their own commitments, and Iran’s nuclear facilities were attacked by Washington and Israel this June.
Nevertheless, Europeans appear to be determined to induce mechanisms. The return of UN sanctions will not be added to the long list of sanctions targeting Iran, but it was primarily reimposed after Washington left the JCPOA in 2018 – which could have a temporary impact on Iran’s currency markets and affect the value of Iranian rials.
Iran previously said it would leave the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) if a snapback is triggered, but now it appears that such a move should no longer negotiate a nuclear program with the West. “The invigoration of the snapback mechanism will not destroy Iran’s economy or its internal unity. But negotiations will certainly destroy,” the source said.