Araghchi Declares E3 Snapback Move Illegal at UNSC Meeting: A Bold Stand on International Relations

The recent UN Security Council meeting addressed a crucial draft resolution proposed by Russia and China, seeking a six-month extension of sanctions relief for Iran as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) approaches its expiration. The discussions reflect ongoing tensions around Iran’s nuclear program and the international community’s efforts to manage the situation.

The meeting commenced with the Russian representative criticizing the United States and the three European nations known as the E3 for their handling of the Iran nuclear issue. He emphasized the need to support the resolution to extend Resolution 2231 for an additional six months to prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism, which could reinstate previous sanctions.

Following the Russian ambassador’s address, the Chinese representative also condemned the Western states for escalating tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even a decade after the JCPOA was signed. Both diplomats insisted on resolving the Iran nuclear file through political means, underscoring Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The French ambassador countered these claims, accusing Iran of insufficient cooperation with the IAEA and rejecting the draft resolution put forth by Russia and China. Ultimately, the resolution failed to pass, garnering only four ‘Yes’ votes against nine ‘No’ votes in the council.

After the voting concluded, the Chinese representative reiterated the necessity of reviving the 2015 JCPOA, attributing its current failures to the United States’ withdrawal in 2018. Representatives from various nations, including the UK, Germany, Algeria, Pakistan, and South Korea, voiced their opinions during the meeting.

Among the attendees was Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was expected to address the session subsequently. When he did speak, he expressed gratitude towards Russia, China, Algeria, and Pakistan for their support of the draft resolution. Araghchi emphasized Iran’s longstanding commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and noted that the JCPOA resulted from two years of negotiations that culminated in 2015.

Araghchi attributed the escalation of tensions to the US’s withdrawal from the agreement, asserting that Iran had not abandoned the deal following this exit. He maintained that the actions Iran took in response to the US withdrawal were entirely legal under the JCPOA guidelines. The Iranian foreign minister criticized the European parties for failing to uphold their obligations under the JCPOA, contributing to the current precarious situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear agreement.

He also alleged that the Israeli regime influenced the E3 countries, dictating policies aimed against Iran. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position that it does not pursue nuclear weapons, a sentiment echoed by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He insisted that Iran had not violated any terms of the deal to date.

During the discussions, Araghchi noted that Iran had engaged in five rounds of talks with the US before the Israeli regime’s military actions against Iran commenced. He criticized the US for abandoning diplomatic efforts while accusing European countries of neglecting their roles in the negotiation process. Despite these challenges, he affirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy.

He further stated that it was the US that had led diplomacy towards failure and reiterated Tehran’s view that the E3’s activation of the snapback mechanism was illegitimate. Araghchi warned that the US and E3 would bear responsibility for any consequences resulting from their actions against Iran. He firmly declared that Iran would not succumb to pressure, asserting that respectful treatment could lead to constructive dialogue.

He also cautioned that the E3’s unlawful actions would undermine the credibility of the UN Security Council. Following the exchanges between the French and Russian representatives, Araghchi took the floor once more to inform attendees that IAEA inspectors remain in Iran, per a recent agreement with Rafael Grossi.

The Iranian foreign minister emphasized Iran’s persistent readiness to demonstrate that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, as evidenced by its adherence to the JCPOA. He expressed skepticism regarding future negotiations with the US, citing past experiences where discussions led to aggression. He pointed out that the US had exploited diplomatic engagements to justify military actions against Iran.

• UN Security Council Meeting: Focused on the draft resolution for Iran sanctions relief.
• Russian and Chinese Criticism: Targeting the US and E3 for their approach to the Iran nuclear issue.
• French Response: Accusations against Iran for non-cooperation with the IAEA.
• Voting Outcome: Resolution rejected with four ‘Yes’ votes and nine ‘No’ votes.
• Iran’s Position: Emphasizing legality in response to US withdrawal and commitment to peaceful nuclear energy.

As the international community grapples with the complexities of the Iran nuclear issue, it remains to be seen how diplomatic efforts will evolve in the wake of these recent developments.