Iran’s envoy Naziri Asl criticized Western sanctions and pressure tactics against Iran during an IAEA meeting, highlighting the failure of the US and European nations to meet their JCPOA obligations. He reiterated Iran’s right to remedial action and dismissed attempts to invoke the snapback mechanism, stressing the importance of upholding UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Asl emphasized Iran’s ideological rejection of weapons of mass destruction and urged member states to preserve the JCPOA.
During a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, Iranian envoy Naziri Asl discussed the adverse impacts of Western-led censure resolutions and the ongoing sanctions on Iran, asserting these actions are predicated on unfounded allegations regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He highlighted the failure of Western nations, particularly after the United States’ exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, to meet their obligations under the agreement, further worsened by the inaction of France, Germany, and Britain—the remaining European signatories.
Asl emphasized that Iran’s partial rollback of its commitments is a justified response to these breaches, specifically invoking Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, which permit remedial measures when obligations are not fulfilled. He stated that any reversal of Iran’s current measures would depend on the removal of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the involved European nations in a thorough and verifiable manner.
He contended that the pressure tactics employed by certain Western states are not only ineffective but may also prove counterproductive, indicating a lack of success in their strategies. Asl noted the incongruence of the European states invoking the JCPOA’s snapback mechanism, as they have also breached UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and therefore lack the legitimacy to respond to Iran’s actions through this mechanism.
Asl insisted that such attempts to implement the snapback mechanism would be “legally baseless, unjust, and strongly rejected.” He called upon all IAEA member states to honor their responsibilities regarding UN Resolution 2231 to safeguard the years of diplomatic efforts invested in the nuclear agreement. He stressed the importance of adhering to the timeline set forth in the resolution as “our responsibility to preserve this achievement.”
He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to rejecting weapons of mass destruction as a principle based on ideology and views such weapons as a peril to global peace. The forthcoming “Termination Day,” initially scheduled for October 2025, marks the date when remaining UN sanctions on Iran are projected to be lifted, symbolizing the end of the restrictions imposed on Iran’s nuclear activities under the JCPOA.
European powers are currently evaluating methods to activate the snapback mechanism using evidence of Iran’s remedial actions as potential justification. This mechanism allows any signatory to reinstate UN sanctions upon determining significant non-compliance by Iran, a move previously attempted by the Trump administration in 2020, but met with widespread disapproval from the international community, including the UN Security Council.
In conclusion, Iran’s envoy Naziri Asl presented a strong case against the Western sanctions and pressure strategies related to the nuclear issue, insisting that these measures lack effectiveness and legality. He urged for adherence to the JCPOA and UN resolutions, while reaffirming Iran’s commitment against weapons of mass destruction. As the date for the lifting of sanctions approaches, the international community must navigate carefully to ensure the enduring stability of the JCPOA and uphold the principles of international law.
Original Source: ifpnews.com