SAEDNEWS: Continuous engagement with non-permanent Security Council members, along with a strong diplomatic team, can help Iran counter U.S. and Israeli efforts and shift conditions in its favor.
According to Saed News, Nosratollah Tajik, a retired diplomat and international affairs expert, in an interview with Etemad Online, on the eve of the activation of the “snapback” mechanism and amid speculation about a possible suspension of enrichment, analyzed the current situation and Iran’s strategies to manage this challenge and prevent escalation of tensions. He said:
“Certainly, the implementation of the snapback mechanism will have severe consequences for the country. Many analysts may focus more on the economic consequences, sanctions, and similar issues, which is partially correct, because the return to UN Security Council resolutions and the possibility of Iran being placed back under Chapter VII of the UN Charter would be a major and serious problem for the country. But this is only one dimension of the issue. More importantly, if these resolutions return, Iran will once again be presented as a threat to global security. Particularly with the ongoing efforts of the U.S. and Israel, if these resolutions are reinstated, they will be able to pursue the project of Iran-phobia and the isolation of Iran with even greater intensity. This issue is undeniable, and anyone familiar with international trends and global affairs will confirm this.”
He continued: “However, Iran believes that for various reasons, including Europe’s failure to comply with its JCPOA commitments, especially after the U.S. withdrawal, it has been unable to benefit from the economic advantages of the nuclear deal. Iran considers that the U.S. withdrawal was not the sole cause of this situation; Europe, through inaction and under the influence of U.S. policies, also failed to properly implement its commitments under the JCPOA. This has been cited as one of the three main reasons for Iran’s stance on European participation in this process.”
The former Iranian ambassador added: “Iran also believes that only the countries that are members of the JCPOA and have participated in its implementation have the right to intervene in activating the snapback mechanism. Therefore, Iran strongly believes that the three European countries – the UK, France, and Germany – for various reasons, including their failure to condemn U.S. and Israeli actions in attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities that are legal and under IAEA supervision, and their alignment with U.S. policies regarding zero enrichment, can no longer be considered participants in the JCPOA. Iran also emphasizes that when one of the main provisions of the JCPOA is violated, that country or countries can no longer be regarded as members or participants. In particular, Resolution 2231, which is cited as the legal backbone of the JCPOA, clearly states that the snapback mechanism must be activated by the JCPOA member states.”
Tajik further stated: “In this regard, Iran is actively conducting legal and diplomatic negotiations with the countries involved in this process, particularly in the Security Council. As we have seen previously, the European countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, have sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. On the other hand, Iran is also in contact and lobbying with Russia and China, and these two countries have also sent letters to the Security Council opposing the activation of the snapback mechanism. Iran’s goal in these efforts is to challenge the process of activating the snapback mechanism and prevent international pressures.”
He said: In this regard, Iran must take further diplomatic and legal measures, and the media should also be active in this field to demand from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other responsible institutions that this process be pursued seriously. Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated sufficient resources and credits for legal actions? Has it adequately utilized international lawyers specialized in contract law and global issues? These questions must be raised and followed up by the media so that the public becomes aware of the progress of these actions.
Tajik continued: These actions must be carried out in a coordinated and highly precise manner, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also use legal capacities within the Union and inside the United Kingdom. These countries do not have much leeway for illegal actions, and domestic media and lawyers can, if it becomes clear to them that they cannot activate the “snapback” mechanism, take the government to court! Iran must obtain a legal opinion from Union and UK lawyers in this regard. That is, it should present all its arguments and evidence that Europe is not considered a participant in the JCPOA to them and obtain a legal opinion. This becomes a basis for a challenge to European governments. This must become a key issue for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He concluded by emphasizing: To pursue this matter, Iran must also maintain continuous and effective communication with the non-permanent members of the Security Council. Lobbying in their countries as well as in New York with the representatives of these countries is essential.
Russia holds the presidency of the Security Council in October, preceded by Pakistan, and these countries, along with other non-permanent members of the Security Council, can also assist in this process. In my opinion, Iran has suitable capacities in this regard and should address this issue with a strong, active, and experienced diplomatic team in New York to change the conditions in its favor.
