If Snapback Is Enforced, Dialogue Would Lose its Meaning, Iran President Warns
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Western powers of acting in bad faith, warning that their move to reimpose UN sanctions would undermine the foundation for dialogue.
In a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Pezeshkian emphasized that if the snapback mechanism is triggered, negotiations would lose their significance.
He stated that Western countries should demonstrate their commitment to their obligations for any meaningful understanding to emerge, adding that the current situation has arisen due to the West's failure to uphold its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The president reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought nuclear weapons, aligning this stance with the country’s fundamental beliefs and clear political approach.
He also attributed the West's skepticism regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program to misunderstandings and partly to misleading propaganda from the Israeli regime.
Prime Minister Store responded by affirming the Western countries' commitment to resolving issues, stating that efforts should focus on finding solutions to concerns, which could help prevent the triggering of the snapback mechanism.
The three European parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action– France, Germany, and the UK– have taken steps to trigger the so-called snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.
Their move came after a draft resolution seeking to extend provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 failed to gain sufficient support, effectively paving the way for the reimposition of multilateral sanctions on Iran.
The snapback mechanism, built into the JCPOA, allows participants to restore previous UN sanctions without the possibility of a veto by other Security Council members. If implemented, it would mark the return of wide-ranging restrictions on Iran, including arms embargoes, financial measures, and limitations on nuclear activities.
Tehran has strongly condemned the European push, describing it as a violation of commitments under the JCPOA and an irresponsible act that undermines diplomacy. Iranian officials have emphasized that Tehran will not remain passive in the face of such measures, vowing to adopt serious and proportionate responses while underlining the country’s readiness to safeguard its national interests.
