Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply criticized the United States and European powers on Saturday, accusing Washington of obstructing efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear accord as UN sanctions were set to resume. The remarks came hours before the reimposition of measures lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signaling renewed tensions in global diplomacy.
Diplomatic Clash at UNGA
Speaking at Tehran airport after attending the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian stated: "The United States always attempts to prevent achievement of an agreement by raising fresh pretexts." He singled out France, Britain, and Germany for triggering the agreement's 'snapback' mechanism last month, despite Iran's declared readiness to cooperate with nuclear inspectors.
Sanctions Snapback Fallout
The restoration of UN sanctions – including arms embargoes and uranium enrichment restrictions – follows Europe's formal invocation of the JCPOA's dispute resolution process. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the move as "illegal and void," blaming "U.S. betrayal and Europe's inaction" for the crisis. Tehran has recalled its ambassadors from the three European capitals in protest.
Deal's Uncertain Future
The 2015 agreement between Iran and six world powers has unraveled since the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 under the Trump administration. While President Biden initially sought to revive the pact, recent developments suggest deepening mistrust. As global energy markets watch closely, the sanctions' return could further complicate efforts to stabilize Middle Eastern geopolitics and nuclear nonproliferation frameworks.
