Russia has criticized Britain, France, and Germany’s threats to trigger snapback sanctions against Iran, calling their rhetoric irresponsible and unlawful. The remarks were made within the context of the complications arising from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), particularly following the U.S. withdrawal and Iran’s subsequent nuclear obligations reductions. The EU maintained their commitment to a diplomatic solution, blaming Iran for deviations from the agreement while urging engagement with the IAEA.
Russia has condemned the threats issued by Britain, France, and Germany regarding the snapback of sanctions against Iran, labeling such rhetoric as “irresponsible” and “unlawful.” The Russian government has emphasized that these countries should redirect their efforts towards resolving a situation they themselves have contributed to creating. The remarks were made amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The snapback mechanism within the JCPOA enables any party to reinstate United Nations sanctions on Iran in cases of agreement violations. Following the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and its subsequent “maximum pressure” strategy, the remaining signatories—Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China—have struggled to uphold Iran’s interests under the agreement. Iran, feeling neglected, initiated a gradual reduction of its nuclear commitments after a year of waiting for promised support that ultimately failed to materialize.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, spoke at a session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the European trio’s threats. He asserted that these nations have breached their responsibilities under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA, now seeking to punish Iran for their own inability to restore the agreement. Ulyanov remarked on their threats as not merely irresponsible, but illegal, urging them to cease their rhetoric and instead focus on diplomatic solutions.
In a contrasting perspective, Carl Hallergard, the EU’s Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna, reiterated the EU’s dedication to achieving a diplomatic resolution concerning the JCPOA. Hallergard criticized Iran for escalating the nuclear proliferation risk in the region and claimed that Iran has significantly deviated from its commitments, conveniently neglecting to address the breaches by the other signatories. He called for Iran to engage promptly with the IAEA to address urgent issues needing resolution.
In summary, Russia has rebuked the threats from Britain, France, and Germany to reinstate sanctions against Iran, urging these nations to focus on diplomatic engagement rather than punitive measures. As the situation around the JCPOA remains precarious, contrasting views from Russia and the EU highlight the complexities involved in reviving this critical agreement. Strengthening collaboration and dialogue among the involved parties is essential for resolving these tensions effectively.
Original Source: en.mehrnews.com
