IRGC Official: Europe’s Snapback Move a "Psywar" After Military Defeat

Yadollah Javani, Political Deputy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), wrote on the Basirat website, affiliated with the IRGC’s Political Bureau:

The three European countries—Britain, Germany, and France—have shown utmost irresponsibility by violating international law and, in a letter to the UN Security Council, demanded the reimposition of sanctions lifted under Resolution 2231 against Iran.

Despite strong opposition from China and Russia, both parties to the JCPOA who have repeatedly emphasized the illegality and lack of justification in Europe’s use of the snapback mechanism, this move has been pursued. Therefore, it is vital for experts inside Iran to realistically analyze the issue, explaining both the legal and political flaws of the European action and its economic implications for the Iranian people.

All evidence suggests that the Europeans themselves know the snapback cannot fundamentally damage Iran’s economy. For them, the move carries two objectives: first, short-term psychological impact on Iran’s economy and markets; second, political leverage against Tehran in any potential future negotiations.

Javani outlined several key points:

1. Europe’s use of the snapback, coordinated closely with the U.S., is a major psychological operation and media campaign to cover up the West’s military failures in the recent 12-day war, seeking to overshadow Iran’s strategic victory.

2. The sanctions in question are outdated and ineffective, as proven when previously implemented. Iran’s resilient economy can withstand and bypass them.

3. Iran’s economic growth in recent years, coupled with its geopolitical position and expanding regional ties, makes neutralizing such sanctions easier than ever.

4. With the global economy moving away from dollar dominance and Iran’s membership in BRICS, sanctions lose much of their potential impact.

5. The snapback sanctions lack oil and financial restrictions, meaning Iran’s crude exports—particularly to China—will remain unaffected.

6. Restoring old UN sanctions will not legitimize military action against Iran, as new resolutions will be blocked by Russia and China.

7. Europe’s unlawful snapback move will open a new chapter in Iran–West relations, potentially starting with parliament’s proposed bill for Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT.

8. If the government, with public support, manages the short-term psychological shock on markets and currency, Europe and the U.S. will be the ultimate losers.

He concluded: the true aim of reviving previous sanctions is to shock Iran’s economy psychologically, but with unity and prudence, the Iranian nation can easily neutralize this Western ploy.