AhlulBayt News Agency: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned European countries against adopting a confrontational stance regarding Tehran’s peaceful nuclear energy program, cautioning that such a move could lead to a global nuclear proliferation crisis.
Araghchi made these remarks in an interview published by French weekly Le Point on Sunday. His comments come after Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—threatened to activate the snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The Iranian diplomat stressed that a strategy based on confrontation would primarily harm European nations themselves. He further expressed his readiness to visit Paris, Berlin, and London to discuss possible diplomatic solutions and open a new chapter in negotiations.
Araghchi criticized the E3 for reaching an impasse instead of modifying their approach. He argued that rather than adjusting their strategy to ensure constructive diplomacy, European governments have chosen a confrontational path.
He also highlighted concerns over the snapback mechanism, originally intended as a last-resort dispute resolution tool under the JCPOA. However, he pointed out that it is now being used as a diplomatic pressure tactic against Iran.
Iran has repeatedly warned JCPOA signatories that any misuse of the snapback mechanism will have serious consequences. Araghchi emphasized that such a move would not only render Europe’s role in the agreement ineffective but also escalate tensions to potentially irreversible levels.
In late April, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that France, Germany, and Britain would swiftly reapply sanctions lifted a decade ago if they deemed Iran’s nuclear activities a threat to European security.
Iran has responded firmly, warning that any action taken by the E3 to invoke the snapback mechanism would be met with an appropriate and proportionate response.
This latest development coincides with ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, which recently completed their fourth round of talks in Muscat, Oman.
Both Tehran and Washington have expressed satisfaction with the progress of negotiations, describing them as “positive” and “moving forward” towards a possible resolution.
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