Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared Monday that Tehran's recent cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could collapse if UN sanctions are reinstated. The warning comes as France, Britain, and Germany (E3) move to trigger the 2015 nuclear deal's 'snapback' mechanism, which would restore penalties lifted under the accord.
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate
Speaking to reporters in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly, Araghchi criticized the E3's push to reinstate sanctions through the Security Council, calling it a 'destructive' act. He emphasized Iran's readiness to take countermeasures, stating: 'We will once again see the unfolding of a new situation with the Agency.'
Roots of the Crisis
Araghchi attributed the current deadlock to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and subsequent sanctions. While reaffirming Iran's openness to diplomacy, he stressed any solution must 'safeguard the Iranian nation's interests' and address security concerns.
The Road Ahead
With UN sanctions set to take effect later this month unless blocked, Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced it would 'effectively suspend' IAEA cooperation if relief measures expire. The developments highlight deepening fractures in global nonproliferation efforts, as world leaders prepare for high-stakes discussions at the UN this week.
