Zarif Slams Snapback Mechanism Activation as ‘Unfounded’ in Latest Diplomatic Controversy

In a recent interview, Mohammad-Javad Zarif, the former Iranian vice president for strategic affairs and foreign minister, addressed the controversies surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Zarif emphasized that the actions of the European signatories regarding the JCPOA are “unfounded,” asserting that Iran was in full compliance with the agreement even after the United States unilaterally withdrew.

These remarks were made during an interview with Foreign Policy, published on Thursday. Zarif’s insights shed light on the ongoing tensions and the implications of the E3’s (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) attempts to invoke the Snapback Mechanism.

Here are some key points from Zarif’s interview:

• Compliance with the JCPOA: Zarif stated that Iran adhered to the JCPOA even after President Trump’s withdrawal, criticizing Europe for failing to meet its own commitments.
• Failures of the E3: He pointed out that the E3 made multiple commitments in 2018 but failed to fulfill any of them, leading to Iran’s remedial measures.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Zarif clarified that the mechanism referred to by the E3 is not called “snapback,” but “dispute resolution mechanism,” which Iran has previously engaged with.
• European Audacity: He questioned the audacity of the E3 in trying to utilize this mechanism given their track record of non-compliance.

Zarif further criticized the timing of the E3’s actions, noting that just weeks prior, they had seemingly supported Israeli military actions against Iranian sites. He quoted the German Chancellor, who referred to Israel’s actions as “dirty work,” highlighting the inconsistency in their diplomatic approach:

“Let’s not confuse domestic and foreign policy. I think what the E3 are trying to do is, first of all, unfounded because Iran was observing fully the JCPOA, even a year after Trump left it.”

He challenged the efficacy of the E3’s current strategy, questioning what gains they expect to achieve by resorting to the dispute resolution mechanism, which he regards as a step backward rather than forward:

“What good does it do to them? What did President [Donald] Trump gain by withdrawing from JCPOA? Do we live in a safer world today?”

Zarif also expressed concern over the implications of the E3’s actions, suggesting they might be prioritizing support for Israel over genuine diplomatic efforts:

“They should go back to their policy drawing board and see what this is going to gain them.”

He reiterated his belief in diplomacy as a path forward, mentioning his previous writings on establishing a Middle East network for nonproliferation and nuclear cooperation:

“I think there are diplomatic ways of moving forward. I wrote an article in the Guardian talking about a Middle East network for nonproliferation and nuclear cooperation.”

Moreover, Zarif addressed the recent Israeli aggression against Iran, asserting that it significantly damaged the trust necessary for negotiations between Iran and the United States:

“The 12-day war occurred just two days before my friends in the Foreign Ministry were supposed to go for a new round of negotiations with their American counterparts.”

He condemned the attacks, stating they were not only aimed at military targets but also at innocent civilians, which he described as a violation of international law:

“Many innocent civilians were killed. Military leaders were not targeted in their offices or on the war front, but they were targeted at home, when they were sleeping with the children and spouses.”

Furthermore, Zarif highlighted the broader implications of such violence, particularly regarding the targeting of scientists:

“Nuclear scientists, as well as other scientists, were murdered only because they were scientists. This is an extremely dangerous precedent that these people were murdered.”

In conclusion, Zarif’s comments reflect a complex interplay of diplomacy, international law, and the consequences of military action in the region. His call for genuine diplomatic engagement underscores the need for a reevaluation of current strategies by the E3 and a focus on collaborative efforts to ensure regional stability.

Source: MNA/IRN