Iran FM Araghchi warns Europe against reckless' approach to nuclear deal

"Araghchi accused the three powers of ignoring the fact that it was the US, not Iran, that withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). While Tehran took what he described as lawful remedial measures under the accord, the E3 failed to uphold their own obligations. Araghchi noted that European leaders once pledged to protect trade with Iran after US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in 2018."

"The truth is that they are intently pursuing a reckless course of action This is a grave miscalculation that is bound to backfire, Araghchi wrote. In August, Germany, France and the United Kingdom Europe's largest economies triggered a 30-day process to activate snapback sanctions over what they called significant violations of a 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme. The United States, which bombed three nuclear facilities in June as part of an Israeli assault on Iran, has welcomed the European countries' move."

"Araghchi noted that European leaders once pledged to protect trade with Iran after US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in 2018. None of it materialised, he wrote, adding that Europe's promises of strategic autonomy collapsed under US pressure. Instead, he argued, Europe has acted as a bystander, cheering Washington's aggressive approach. Openly cheerleading illegal military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities protected by international law as Germany's chancellor has done does not constitute participation' in the deal, he wrote."

Araghchi accuses Britain, France and Germany of pursuing a reckless strategy on Iran's nuclear programme and warns their alignment with Washington diminishes Europe's global standing. He says the E3's decision to trigger a snapback process to reinstate UN sanctions lacks legal standing and is bound to fail. Araghchi emphasizes that the United States, not Iran, withdrew from the 2015 JCPOA and that Tehran implemented lawful remedial measures under the accord while the E3 failed to uphold obligations. He asserts European promises to protect trade after 2018 sanctions collapsed under US pressure and criticizes Europe for cheering aggressive actions against Iran.

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