SAEDNEWS: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a statement, firmly rejected and condemned the illegal announcement by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3) to the UN Security Council concerning Resolution 2231 (2015).
According to Saed News, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly rejects and condemns in the strongest possible terms the illegal announcement by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3) to the Security Council regarding Resolution 2231 (2015). This unjustified action, which contradicts the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), constitutes an illegal and illegitimate attempt to reinstate repealed resolutions and is clearly inconsistent with Resolution 2231 (2015).
As has been emphasized in multiple previous correspondences with the UN Security Council, the three European countries have no legal or moral authority to invoke the so-called “snapback” mechanism. Therefore, their announcement is invalid, void, and has no legal effect.
The dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the JCPOA is an essential and inseparable part of this framework, deliberately designed as a multistage and consultative process to prevent misuse by any party—particularly countries like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, which themselves have not fulfilled their obligations.
As confirmed by some Council members, especially China and Russia, the three European countries have not fulfilled the requirements of the dispute resolution mechanism as foreseen in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. Therefore, their announcement represents a legally flawed attempt to misuse Resolution 2231 for a politically biased agenda against Iran. Moreover, since these three countries have long seriously violated their obligations and have been aligned with the illegal withdrawal of the United States and its coercive actions, they cannot claim the status of “good-faith parties.” They also cannot justify their illegal actions by referring to Iran’s responsive measures, which have been gradual, proportionate, and fully within Iran’s legal rights under the JCPOA.
Regardless of all legal and political debates related to the background of the issue, misuse of this mechanism under conditions in which Iran’s nuclear facilities have been severely damaged due to an illegal attack by a former JCPOA member is a clear sign of bad faith.
The action of the three countries, which consciously ignores broader circumstances and distorts the chain of events, effectively rewards the violator and punishes the victim. It was the United States, not Iran, that unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions in 2018. It was the European Union / three European countries, not Iran, that failed to fulfill their commitments to mitigate the economic impact of the U.S. withdrawal. It was the European Union / three European countries, not Iran, that not only failed to implement their commitments on the transition day (October 18, 2023) but also imposed new illegal sanctions on Iranian civilian airlines and shipping companies.
This decision by the three European countries will severely undermine the ongoing interactions and cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. This provocative and unnecessary escalation will be met with appropriate responses.
The path chosen by the three European countries, if not restrained, will have serious consequences for the credibility and structure of the Security Council. Resorting to the so-called snapback mechanism without following the proper process and providing valid legal grounds not only undermines confidence in the Council’s decisions but also endangers international peace and security.
The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes that such a decision must be decisively rejected by all responsible members of the international community.
Over the past years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated utmost restraint and sustained commitment to diplomatic engagement to preserve the JCPOA and find a negotiated solution. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains ready to engage constructively with other Security Council members who are sincerely committed to maintaining diplomacy and preventing an artificial crisis that benefits no one. The first essential step in this path is the decisive rejection of the illegal, illegitimate, and political attempt by the three European countries to reinstate repealed resolutions against a country that has consistently demonstrated restraint and commitment to dialogue.
The official statement of the Islamic Republic of Iran in response to this action by the three European countries will soon be issued and registered as a Security Council document.
