Iran has warned European powers that reimposing United Nations sanctions on the country will have severe consequences. During talks with Germany, France, and the UK in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran does not have the right to trigger the “snapback mechanism.” The mechanism was lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers.
The E3 grouping, which includes France, the UK, and Germany, has threatened to reinstate sanctions at the UN Security Council by October. However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran remains committed to diplomacy and a mutually beneficial solution.
Iran’s focus is on preventing actions that may be costly for the country, Baghaei added. Tehran is negotiating with its allies China and Russia to prevent sanctions reimposition. The US has threatened to trigger the snapback mechanism, but Iran has warned of a “harsh response” if sanctions are reinstated.
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) allowed Iran to enrich uranium, but limited it to 3.67 percent enrichment levels required for a nuclear reactor. The deal was torpedoed in 2018 when the US withdrew and slapped crippling sanctions on Iran. If sanctions are reimposed by October, they will be permanently removed.
Iran has repeatedly denied seeking a nuclear weapon, insisting its program is solely for civilian purposes like energy production. However, Israel’s attack on Iran last month led to Iran suspending cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/26/iran-european-powers-hold-nuclear-talks-in-geneva-amid-sanctions