SAEDNEWS: Mikhail Ulyanov says European countries continue to be in violation of the JCPOA and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and, therefore, they have no legal right to snap back sanctions on Iran.
Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna has warned that Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3 or European Troika— have no right to activate the snapback mechanism stipulated in the 2015 nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
In an interview on Saturday, Mikhail Ulyanov criticized the West for destroying the path of diplomacy by threatening Tehran with snapback, in response to a question about international sanctions the West is seeking to implement with the aim of exerting more pressure on Iran.
“Our position is that the E3 has no right to resort to the so-called “snapback” mechanism”, he adding that “claims of France, Germany and Britain to be able to do so lacks legal basis” as they continue to be in violation of the JCPOA and the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231.
Ulyanov insisted that the European Troika cannot resort to other provisions of the agreement, unless and until they return to good-faith by implementing their own commitments. “A party which disowns or does not fulfill its own obligations cannot be recognized as retaining the rights which it claims”, he said referring to a 1971 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on a Namibia case.
In pursuit of “snapback”, the E3 is fueled by its own narrow-minded political considerations and neither has an exit strategy, nor any strategy whatsoever regarding what the end goal of its actions would be, he warned.
Responding to the recent Israeli and US attacks on Iranian soil and the reluctance of the West and some international organizations, Ulyanov reiterated Russia’s condemnation for the attacks, saying “Such actions are a blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, together with the relevant UN Security Council and IAEA General Conference resolutions”.
He said that the military force against Iran’s nuclear facilities “is unacceptable and has no plausible justification, and undermines the credibility of the IAEA”, calling it regrettable for Member States not to condemn the Israeli regime and the US.
On the future of Iran-IAEA relations after the US and Israeli attack, the Russian diplomat said expressed sorrow over the assault on a country that is a signatory to the NPT, with a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement in force. “This has never happened before but Tehran is trying to ensure its security and protect its interests after what happened is understandable and undoubtedly deserves recognition,” he added.
Referring to Iran’s strategic cooperation with Russia and China, he said “We believe that the trilateral cooperation between three countries has an extremely significant value that should be encouraged, fostered and developed”.
Responding to a question for any future talks between Iran and the US or if Washington will change its approach and show real goodwill in order to advance the negotiation process, Ulyanov welcomed any talks but said “These negotiations, however, will only be possible if the United States proceeds not only from the need to take into account obligations of Iran under the NPT, but also to ensure and honor its rights”.
The US should acknowledge that reaching an agreement within quite a reasonable timeframe would be possible. “First and foremost is with respect to Iran’s right to enrich uranium under the close oversight of the IAEA, which clearly and unequivocally derives from the NPT.
