The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly rejects and strongly condemns the illegal notification by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3) to the Security Council in connection with Resolution 2231 (2015). This unfounded action, which runs counter to the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), constitutes an unlawful and unjustified attempt to reinstate terminated resolutions and is clearly inconsistent with Resolution 2231 (2015).
As repeatedly emphasized in prior correspondence with the United Nations Security Council, the three European countries possess neither legal nor moral authority to invoke the so-called “snapback” mechanism. Accordingly, their notification is null, void, and devoid of any legal effect.
The dispute resolution mechanism enshrined in the JCPOA is an essential and inseparable component of the framework, deliberately designed as a multi-stage and consultative process to prevent abuse by any party—particularly by countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, which themselves have failed to honor their commitments.
As certain Council members, especially China and Russia, have confirmed, the three European countries have not complied with the requirements of the dispute resolution mechanism as provided for in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. Their notification therefore constitutes a legally defective attempt to misuse Resolution 2231 in pursuit of a biased political agenda against Iran. Moreover, since these three countries have for a long time gravely violated their obligations and aligned themselves with the unlawful withdrawal and coercive measures of the United States, they cannot claim the position of “good-faith parties.” Nor can they justify their unlawful actions by reference to Iran’s remedial measures—measures which were gradual, proportionate, and fully consistent with Iran’s legal rights under the JCPOA.
Irrespective of all legal and political arguments concerning the background of the matter, the misuse of this mechanism at a time when Iran’s nuclear facilities have been severely damaged as a result of an unlawful attack by a former JCPOA participant is a manifest sign of bad faith.
This action by the three countries—deliberately disregarding the broader context and distorting the chain of events—effectively rewards the violator while punishing 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 / the three European countries, not Iran, that failed to deliver on their commitments to mitigate the economic impact of the U.S. withdrawal. It was the European Union / the three European countries, not Iran, that not only failed to implement their obligations on Transition Day (18 October 2023), but even imposed new unlawful sanctions on Iranian airlines and civilian shipping companies.
The decision of the three European countries will severely undermine the ongoing course of interaction 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 left unchecked, will have grave consequences for the credibility and structure of the Security Council. Resorting to the so-called snapback mechanism without following due process and without presenting valid legal grounds not only erodes trust in the Council’s decisions but also endangers international peace and security.
The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes that such a decision must be firmly rejected by all responsible members of the international community.
Over the past years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated utmost restraint and a sustained commitment to diplomatic engagement in order to preserve the JCPOA and to find a negotiated solution. Iran remains ready to engage constructively with other Security Council members who are sincerely committed to preserving diplomacy and preventing a manufactured crisis that benefits no one. The essential first step in this direction is the categorical rejection of the unlawful, unjustified, and politically motivated attempt by the three European countries to revive terminated 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 be issued shortly and registered as a Security Council document.
