Tehran Sends Strong Message Before Nuclear Negotiations
Iran’s Foreign Ministry informed Europe’s major powers that reviving United Nations sanctions could invite serious repercussions. The warning followed a meeting of top Iranian officials with France, the United Kingdom, and Germany the E3 on Tuesday in Geneva to debate nuclear inspections and how to prevent triggering the sanctions “snapback mechanism.
Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed Europe has no right to use the power of unilaterally restoring sanctions, but assured that negotiations will continue over the next days. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also stated that Iran stays dedicated to diplomacy and reaching an equally beneficial agreement.
E3 Push for Snapback Amid Regional Tensions
The talks follow repeated threats by the E3 that the sanctions could be reimposed at the UN Security Council in October, when the 2015 nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), expires. Tehran froze cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in June, after Israel launched 12 days of airstrikes on military targets, nuclear physicists, and civilian areas.
The 2015 JCPOA permitted Iran to cap uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent in return for sanctions removal. Following the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump, Iran started violating enrichment caps, with current levels at 60 percent. Although way below 90 percent weapons-grade uranium, this is above the agreement levels and has increased regional tensions.
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Tehran Bolsters Alliances to Repel Sanctions
Iran has also been talking to China and Russia, fellow JCPOA signatories, to avert sanctions from being reimposed. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underscored that Tehran is negotiating “with all our might” in order not to incur expensive consequences. Baghaei added that the nation’s priority is still safeguarding national interests while carrying on talks to preserve diplomatic channels.
The E3, who are coordinators of the JCPOA, are faced with a precarious balancing act: upholding the agreement without taking actions that would further heat up regional tensions. Tehran, on the other hand, maintains its nuclear programme is intended for civilian energy uses alone and not to produce weapons.
As the snapback deadline nears, the two sides are going through a high-stakes negotiation that has the potential to redefine nuclear diplomacy and regional security, as Europe demands compliance and Iran desires to maintain its sovereignty and nuclear rights.
