Why it matters:
The letter shows that Iran may rethink its relations with the U.S.-driven measures of the European Troika, which would lead to taking a due approach to cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
What is snap-back mechanism:
The "snap-back" mechanism in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) allows any participant to reimpose UN sanctions if Iran is found to violate the agreement. Tehran notes that the E3 countries (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) did not adhere to the JCPOA's dispute resolution process, stressing that their actions undermine diplomatic efforts, especially following recent damage to Iran's nuclear facilities due to Israeli and U.S. attacks.
What Araghchi's letter emphasizes:
- Iran formally activated the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) on May 10, 2018, long before the E3's claims of July 2020 activation.
- Iran exhausted all dispute resolution procedures through multiple Joint Commission meetings in 2018.
- The E3's failure to implement their JCPOA obligations disqualifies them from invoking snapback.
- U.S. unilateral withdrawal and continued sanctions imposition fundamentally violated the JCPOA.
- European compliance with the U.S. sanctions constituted additional violations of their JCPOA commitments.
Go deeper:
Iran's Foreign Minister: Iran Will Respond to Europe's Illegal Snapback Move
M.Majdi - seyed mohammad kazemi
