Iraqi Warns of Potential Activation of Snapback Mechanism

Iran's Foreign Minister warned about the "critical conditions" in the remaining year until the expiration of the JCPOA and the possible action by Europe to activate the snapback mechanism; simultaneously, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly stated that Iran must "move towards a nuclear bomb." Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, reiterated on Saturday evening, November 26, that there is not much time left for diplomacy and nuclear negotiations, and this opportunity is "limited." He stated that the JCPOA will expire in October of next year, and if negotiations for a new agreement are not conducted before then, "we will face a critical situation." UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, will expire on October 18, 2025 (October 26, 1404 in the Iranian calendar), and the nuclear restrictions against Iran will end. According to Abbas Araqchi, if a new agreement is not reached in the less than a year remaining until this date, "European countries that are still in the JCPOA may seek to activate the snapback mechanism." The "snapback" mechanism allows for the immediate and automatic reinstatement of UN Security Council sanctions under specific conditions if Iran deviates from its nuclear commitments. Araqchi's remarks come as the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to meet on Wednesday, November 30, and according to Reuters, European powers are seeking to issue a resolution against Iran at this meeting. In his television interview, Araqchi threatened that if a resolution is passed in this council, Iran will take "reciprocal action." The IAEA has repeatedly criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency and for not providing credible responses to previous questions in its quarterly reports. According to the latest IAEA report, Tehran is enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a level close to the 90% enrichment required for nuclear bomb production. Araqchi's statements were also made following the visit of Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, to Tehran. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's President, promised "cooperation and convergence" with the agency to "resolve ambiguities and doubts" during his meeting with Grossi; after that, the U.S. State Department emphasized the importance of "practical action." In response to Pezeshkian's promise to Grossi, the U.S. stated: "We want Iran to take 'practical action.'" Meanwhile, Ahmad Nadri, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's presiding board, told ILNA news agency: "Until we move towards a nuclear bomb, balance in the region will not be established." This parliament member, who has recently spoken several times about the "delay in nuclear testing," said on Saturday, November 26, to ILNA: "There is no other way for us, as balance in the region is not established." He claimed that this issue is "the request of a large number of Iranian elites in universities and non-universities" and "the opinion of the people." Ahmad Nadri also commented on the new Donald Trump administration in the United States, saying: "We are prepared for all scenarios; these scenarios are being discussed in specific circles in the Islamic Republic of Iran... and we have no red lines." Officials of the Islamic Republic, who have previously emphasized the peaceful and civilian nature of Iran's nuclear program, have recently spoken several times about the possibility of "changing military and nuclear doctrine." Among them, Kamal Kharrazi, a senior advisor to Ali Khamenei and head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations of Iran, had referred to this issue once on November 11 and previously on May 20.