Why it matters:
The warning comes at a time when nuclear negotiations remain stalled. Tehran views the move as a violation of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that the real breach came from the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and Europe's failure to uphold its commitments.
The big picture:
The snapback mechanism, embedded in the JCPOA, allows UN sanctions to be reinstated if Iran is deemed non-compliant by the other parties. Tehran argues that it only scaled back its commitments after being denied the deal’s economic benefits due to U.S. sanctions. Iran has repeatedly warned that increased Western pressure will be met with escalatory measures.
What he’s saying:
Behrouz Kamalvandi, Spokesman of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI): "The unjust use of the trigger mechanism will ensue an appropriate and severe response from Iran."
"It is truly ridiculous that they want to punish Iran for a violation that others committed."
"Iran sees the trigger mechanism as an empty threat and will firmly defend its rights."
"Our general policies are determined by the Leader of Islamic Revolution, and we act in line with those policies."
Flashback:
Iran's international nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed between the country and the P5+1 group, including Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany in 2015, but the US withdrew from the agreement on May 18, 2018, re-imposing more sanctions on Iran.
Go deeper:
Iran’s FM: No Direct Talks With U.S. Under Maximum Pressure
Mojtaba Darabi
