GENEVA – In a tense moment for international diplomacy, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has publicly condemned what he calls a “politically motivated” move by European powers to reimpose sanctions, calling it a misuse of mechanisms laid out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Khatibzadeh did not hold back. “What Europeans are doing is politically biased and politically motivated,” he said. “They are wrong on different levels by trying to misuse the mechanism embedded in the JCPOA.”
His comments come in the wake of a warning from French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Thursday said that Britain, France, and Germany – collectively known as the E3 – may trigger the snapback mechanism that would reinstate U.N. sanctions on Iran by the end of the month. The decision followed what Macron described as unproductive talks with Iranian officials.
At the core of this escalating tension is Iran’s failure to restore full access for U.N. nuclear inspectors and address concerns over its stockpile of enriched uranium. The E3 had previously launched a 30-day process at the end of August, outlining clear conditions for Iran to meet in order to avoid further sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, however, maintained that his government had presented a “reasonable and actionable plan,” signaling that Tehran is not walking away from the negotiation table just yet.
The E3 has offered to postpone the snapback sanctions for up to six months, but only if Iran restores access to inspectors and agrees to engage seriously in talks that may include the United States.
“If Europeans go on this path, they are making the level of unpredictability to the highest level possible,” warned Khatibzadeh. “And they are responsible for any possible future risks.”
Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a resolution that would permanently lift sanctions on Iran. However, diplomats anticipate the resolution will likely fail to secure the necessary nine votes, and even if it does, it could be vetoed by the United States, Britain, or France.
