BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. Iran's response to the potential activation of the United Nations (UN) Security Council’s “Snapback” mechanism will be firm and decisive, Behnam Saeedi, a member of the parliament's National Security Committee presidium, told reporters, Trend reports.
Saeedi noted that Iran is currently considering several possible measures in response. These include withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The official criticized the European trio and the US for failing to uphold their commitments, calling the “Snapback” mechanism a return to past unilateral actions. He described it as an illegal step that violates international agreements, undermines their authority, and diminishes their value.
The parliamentarian noted that in 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposed severe sanctions on Iranian citizens, companies, banks, and other institutions. European countries followed suit, and their current actions are, according to Saidi, contrary to international law.
“Iran prioritizes diplomacy. Based on the agreement with the IAEA, Iran and the agency should continue cooperation under a new framework. Despite Western claims regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, oversight remains the responsibility of the agency, and no excuse is acceptable,” he said.
The UN Security Council has voted to restore sanctions that had been suspended following the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The decision has been backed by the US, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. If Iran and European leaders fail to reach a new agreement, the sanctions will be reinstated on September 26.
The nuclear deal was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted on July 20, 2015. This resolution resulted in the lifting of six previous resolutions against Iran and extensive sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.
The “snapback” mechanism is based on Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to these provisions, if one party complains that another has violated the agreement and resolution efforts fail, the issue can be brought before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). If the UNSC accepts the complaint, international sanctions against Iran can be reinstated, and the Security Council members may authorize military operations against Iran.
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