European Powers Ready to Activate 'Snapback Mechanism' Against the Islamic Republic

The three major European powers known as the 'Troika' have expressed readiness in a letter to the Security Council for the immediate reinstatement of all international sanctions against Tehran and the reactivation of the 'snapback mechanism.' Reuters reported on Wednesday, December 21, about the content of the letter from the ambassadors of Britain, Germany, and France to the Security Council. These three countries have participated in nuclear negotiations with Iran for over two decades. According to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, issued nine years ago following Iran's agreement with six world powers on the JCPOA, countries have until early autumn next year to exercise the snapback mechanism to restore UN sanctions against Iran. While the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to deny the development of nuclear weapons and claims that its nuclear program is peaceful, Western countries have emphasized that a truly civilian nuclear program does not require uranium enrichment at 90 percent. On December 1, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution supported by the U.S. and the three European countries condemning Iran for expanding its nuclear activities and failing to cooperate adequately with the Agency. This was the second resolution condemning Tehran in six months. The IAEA reported last week that Iran's capacity for enriching uranium at 60 percent has multiplied, coming close to reaching 90 percent enrichment. The only use for uranium enriched to 90 percent is in the construction of nuclear weapons. The ambassadors of Britain, France, and Germany wrote in their letter dated December 7 to the Security Council that Iran must limit its nuclear program to create a conducive environment for meaningful progress and a negotiated solution. According to Reuters, the three countries emphasized their determination to use all necessary diplomatic tools immediately to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The letter from the three European governments was written after the Islamic Republic sent a diplomatic delegation led by Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, to Geneva for talks with European diplomats about two weeks ago. The 'frank' one-day negotiations in Switzerland aimed at reducing regional tensions, including over Iran's nuclear program, took place before the inauguration of Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States. Since the Islamic Republic has been accused of increasingly arming Russia for its war against Ukraine, European parties have taken a tougher stance towards Tehran in recent months. The recent IAEA report on the multiplication of Iran's 60 percent uranium enrichment capacity and its proximity to 90 percent has heightened European concerns. If international sanctions against the Islamic Republic are reinstated, Tehran will have to suspend all nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and will be barred from importing any equipment suspected of being used in its nuclear program. These sanctions will not only prevent Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons but will also reinstate conventional arms sanctions. Countries around the world will also be required to inspect any shipments sent to Iran and will have the right to seize any shipments containing prohibited tools and equipment. Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, is the highest-ranking official in Tehran who spoke on December 29 about the possibility of a 'change in the nature of the nuclear program' if UN sanctions are restored. His remarks were interpreted as a warning about the potential for Iran to take steps towards building nuclear weapons. In this context, Reuters reports that a new confidential IAEA report has been seen, indicating that the Islamic Republic has agreed with this international body to enhance monitoring measures over its activities at the Fordow site. The Agency has informed its members that Iran intends to multiply its uranium enrichment speed at the Fordow site several times, but the Islamic Republic has also agreed to the Agency's request to increase the frequency and intensity of safeguards at this site. On Wednesday, regarding the increase in monitoring, Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, stated in a message on X that 'Iran is committed to its safeguard obligations and will not accept additional monitoring beyond its stipulated commitments as long as sanctions remain in place.'