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Foreign ministers

Iran's Foreign Minister Rejects EU's Snapback Mechanism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has rejected the EU's plans to trigger the snapback mechanism, which would reimpose UN sanctions on the country. Araghchi made this point during a teleconference with French, German, and British foreign ministers, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. He emphasized that the EU and E3 lack moral and legal ground for this move, given that it was the US that withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and walked away from negotiations in June. A new round of nuclear talks with Iran would only be possible when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected the EU's plans to trigger the snapback mechanism, citing a lack of moral and legal ground.
  • The snapback mechanism is a clause in the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers that would allow the other parties to reimpose all international sanctions if Iran fails to comply with the agreement.
  • The US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments.
  • Efforts to revive the agreement resumed earlier this year through indirect talks between Iran and the US, but negotiations stalled in mid-June following a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
  • Iran signed the nuclear deal in 2015 with six countries: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US.
  • The deal required Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Statistics:

  • 2015: The year Iran signed the nuclear deal with six countries (Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US).
  • 2015: The year the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the nuclear deal, was signed.
  • 2018: The year the US withdrew from the nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.
  • 12 days: The length of the conflict between Iran and Israel in mid-June.
  • 3: The number of Iranian nuclear sites bombed by the US in June 2025.

Sources:

  • Xinhua news agency via COMTEX, July 18, 2025.

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