Washington Post Claims on “Snapback” Initiative
The English section of webangah News Agency reported,citing Mehr News Agency,that according to The Washington Post,the three European countries-the United Kingdom,France,and Germany-intend to jointly notify the Security Council today of their move to activate the snapback mechanism against Iran.
The Washington Post alleges that alongside this notification, the Troika will inform the Security Council about what they describe as a “critically important violation” of the 2015 nuclear deal by Iran. They plan to reinstate international sanctions previously suspended under that agreement and reimpose them on Tehran.
Earlier, Axios cited three informed sources claiming that foreign ministers from Germany, the UK, and France, together with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in talks today about beginning this snapback process against Iran.
The snapback mechanism refers to reinstating all UN Security Council sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iranian officials have stated activating this mechanism would prompt Tehran’s withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Axios further reported that France, Germany, and Britain gave Tehran until August 31 to take steps regarding its nuclear program and avoid triggering snapback sanctions.The U.S. State Department has declined to comment on these reports.
The outlet added that European countries have urged Iran to resume negotiations with Washington aimed at reaching a new nuclear agreement. They also demanded full access for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors concerning what is described as stocks of uranium enriched up to 60 percent.
A source with knowledge of Tuesday’s talks between senior iranian and European diplomats told Axios these ended without any ample or concrete proposals from Iran.The source said Tehran “offered no tangible or verifiable steps,” effectively closing off any possibility for an extension before snapback activation and paving way for renewed sanctions.
An anonymous European diplomat explained Brussels’ decision by stating: “The Troika leaders believe Iran has clearly violated its JCPOA commitments over many years without taking meaningful corrective measures.” This claim comes despite Washington’s unilateral and illegal withdrawal from JCPOA in 2018.
The snapback activation process will last 30 days. europeans aim to complete it before Russia assumes its rotating presidency over the Security Council in October.
The same diplomat added conditions remain open for diplomacy: “Beginning this process does not mean diplomacy is over; these three European nations still welcome engagement with Iran in weeks leading up to implementation of UN sanctions.”
