Baghaei: Iran will respond appropriately if Europe activates the Snapback mechanism

At the outset, Baghaei expressed his appreciation to the Iranian Red Crescent Society for their swift action during the Zionist regime’s attacks on Iran, stating that the society’s members actively stood on the frontline to defend Iranian citizens.

Addressing the possibility of the European Troika resorting to the snapback mechanism and the potential reimposition of sanctions, Baghaei said: “What is referred to as the ‘snapback mechanism’ has no legal basis. Considering the recent developments and the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran, resorting to such a baseless and unethical mechanism lacks any legal, moral, or political legitimacy. Using this mechanism is merely exploiting a provision of the JCPOA.”

He emphasized: “Iran still considers itself a member of the JCPOA and has only reduced its commitments in response to violations of the agreement by the other parties. This right was explicitly provided for within the JCPOA. The European parties, who are constantly seeking to instrumentalize this mechanism, are themselves in violation of the JCPOA. Moreover, Iran’s nuclear facilities have come under attack. All these facts show that resorting to this mechanism is neither legal nor ethical. Threatening to activate this mechanism is a political step that will meet with an appropriate and proportionate response from Iran.”

Regarding the sanctions imposed on Iran and the possibility of their reinstatement through the activation of the snapback mechanism, Baghaei stated: “The United States has imposed multilayered sanctions on Iran under various pretexts, but the Iranian people have shown resilience against this maximum pressure campaign and will not abandon their rightful claims.”

He also commented on Iran’s efforts to prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism: “We are in continuous dialogue with the other parties and maintain diplomatic relations with all three European countries. This is among the issues we are duty-bound to discuss to safeguard Iran’s national interests. The Europeans are fully aware that resorting to this mechanism, which lacks legal and political grounds, will meet with a response from us. Between 2018 and 2019, Iran gave the Europeans an opportunity to compensate for the damage caused by America’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, but they failed to act. The European Union and the three European countries must be held accountable for their failures, which have led to the current situation.”

Baghaei further noted: “Europe’s resort to this mechanism essentially amounts to acknowledging their lack of a role in the relevant negotiations.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Baghaei reiterated that no date or venue has been set for the next round of talks, and regarding speculations about changes or increases in mediators, he said: “There is no multitude of mediators. In recent months, friendly countries both inside and outside the region have made efforts to help resolve the matter.”

Responding to a question from Mizan about the latest situation of Mahdieh Esfandiari, who is detained in France, Baghaei said: “Iran’s embassy in Paris is seriously following up on this matter, and these efforts have borne some results.”

He continued: “While I cannot say meetings have been held entirely regularly, consular visits with Ms. Esfandiari are ongoing. Just in the past two days, the Iranian ambassador and a consular officer met with Ms. Esfandiari to ensure that her minimum rights are being observed.”

Baghaei added: “A lawyer appointed by the embassy is also following up on the case, and we hope to see positive developments in the coming days.”

In another part of the press conference, Baghaei rejected reports about China and Norway replacing current mediators in Iran-U.S. talks as mere speculation, stating that none of these claims are confirmed.

Regarding Iran’s military operation against the U.S. Al-Udeid base and European reactions, Baghaei said: “This was the height of European hypocrisy — they validated the Zionist regime’s aggression while questioning Iran’s defensive actions in accordance with the UN Charter.”

He stressed: “Iran’s defensive action against Al-Udeid was based on international law and came in response to America’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

On the Zionist regime’s crimes against civilians in Gaza as they lined up for food and water, Baghaei said: “The main reason for the continuation of the Zionist regime’s crimes and aggressions in Gaza and the region is the regime’s impunity. Over the past two years, unprecedented genocide has been underway in Gaza, and all countries and international organizations bear responsibility to act to stop these crimes.”

Baghaei also commented on the killing of Iranian schoolchildren as a result of Zionist attacks, saying: “Most of our child martyrs were students. Documenting these crimes in UNESCO and UNICEF is a priority for us.”

He further noted: “The Ministry of Justice, as the body responsible for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is carrying out documentation efforts. These efforts are in addition to our other actions and will continue.”