Velayati: Snapback Mechanism Will Deepen Europe’s Global Isolation

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Ali Akbar Velayati addressed Europe’s push to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran, saying the move revealed the West’s “long-standing hostility” toward the Iranian nation.

He stated that the decision violated the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and sought to pressure the resistance front while undermining Iran’s scientific and defense progress.

“This step will only isolate Europe further in the world,” Velayati said, stressing that the snapback mechanism had “no practical effect” and served merely as a political and propaganda tool.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized peaceful diplomacy, but it will respond to these conspiracies with strength and national dignity.”

He added that Iran, relying on faith, science and national solidarity, would continue on its path of development despite Western pressure.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Velayati condemned the recent Israeli attack on Qatar and denounced the United States and Britain for backing the Zionist regime’s assault. He said Iranians are “deeply affected” by the violence against Muslims and vowed that Iran will always defend Islamic nations.

“We strongly condemn the Zionist regime and its American and British supporters for their aggression against Qatar,” he said.

Velayati said the attack on Qatar was a continuation of “crusader wars,” recalling medieval atrocities committed against Muslims and linking current Israeli criminal actions to extremist Evangelical movements in the West.

He said that Washington and London had played direct roles in the assault, citing US policy reversals and reports that the UK deployed a refueling aircraft to support Israeli jets.

“We see that US rulers have no commitment to principles; in the morning they say one thing and by evening they act against it. An example is the case of Qatar: despite Qatar’s support for the United States, at the start of the Zionist aggression against Qatar, Washington in effect supported the Zionists, but after failing to achieve its main goal — eliminating resistance commanders in Hamas — it shifted its stance and declared it had not agreed with that action,” he stated.

“Another point concerns Britain’s role,” Velayati said, adding, “Reports indicate that the UK deployed one of its refueling aircraft to support Zionist warplanes, but to mislead public opinion it claimed the flight was merely part of a joint exercise with Qatari forces. All this evidence shows that Western powers continue to spare no crime against Muslims. I hope the Islamic and Arab world will draw lessons from these bitter experiences, as well as from the achievements of resistance against these sworn enemies, and will no longer be deceived by such malicious actors.”

He stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready, with honesty, to provide any necessary assistance to Islamic countries in defending their sovereignty and interests.

Turning to Lebanon, Velayati dismissed efforts to disarm Hezbollah, saying such plots “will fail as the resistance today is stronger, more experienced and determined.”

He said Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces also stand firm against US plans in the region.

On Gaza, he described Israel’s atrocities as “crimes against humanity and an attempt at genocide,” condemning the regime for targeting children, pregnant women, intellectuals and vital infrastructure.

He called for urgent measures, including opening humanitarian crossings, establishing a special tribunal for war crimes, imposing sanctions against Israel, and compelling global media to provide uncensored coverage of the conflict.

Velayati compared US President Donald Trump’s policies to those of Hitler at the start of World War II, arguing that Washington was repeating history in a path “with no favorable outcome.”