Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused Britain, France and Germany of moving to restore UN sanctions on Tehran at the request of the United States and Israel, escalating Tehran’s criticism of European powers as the snapback process enters a 30-day window.
“Three European countries began the process of activating sanctions at the behest of the Zionist regime and the United States,” ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters at a weekly news conference in Tehran.
He said Washington’s support for the move showed it was “part of a plan to impose unlawful pressure on Iran.”
Baghaei said Europe had no standing to invoke the dispute mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, because it had itself failed to meet its obligations.
“When three European countries talk about the JCPOA, the question must be asked: which JCPOA are you referring to? They accuse Iran of not fulfilling commitments, but this claim is made in bad faith. The parties that failed to implement their own obligations are not in a position to accuse Iran,” he said.
He pointed to a recent statement from the US Secretary of State, which described the European action as aligned with American policy.
“The European Union and the three European countries, which once acted as intermediaries toward the JCPOA, have now reduced their role to paving the way for Iran to negotiate with America. Reports have also indicated that the Europeans began this process at the request of the Zionist regime and the United States,” he said.
Baghaei’s remarks also followed a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who welcomed the decision.
“These European allies have laid out a clear case of Iran’s continuing significant non-performance,” Rubio said in a statement published on Sunday. He said the US would work closely with them to complete the reimposition of sanctions.
“Snapback does not contradict our earnest readiness for diplomacy, it only enhances it,” Rubio said. He also said the US remained open to direct engagement with Iran.
Baghaei rejected that position and said diplomacy cannot function under pressure. “Setting conditions while supporting military or economic pressure is not a serious diplomatic path,” he said.
Response to Europe’s 30-day deadline
Germany and its European partners have given Iran 30 days to return to negotiations, allow full access to IAEA inspectors, and clarify the status of enriched uranium stockpiles, or face the automatic return of UN sanctions.
Baghaei dismissed the timeline. “Diplomacy is not a ball game. They pretend to be credible actors with good faith, but what the Europeans need is to strengthen moral courage and responsibility,” he said.
“At the same time as they threaten us and use military tools, they speak of diplomacy. This shows they lack good faith and do not believe in negotiations.”
In a separate interview published Monday by the Guardian, Baghaei criticized a set of conditions announced by Britain, France and Germany.
The three governments had formally notified the UN that they intend to restore sanctions by the end of September unless Iran takes specific steps.
These include allowing UN inspectors access to nuclear sites damaged in Israeli strikes, clarifying the status of its enriched uranium stockpile, and entering direct talks with the United States.
Baghaei said the conditions were not sincere. “It’s a sign they are not serious and they do not have good faith,” he told the Guardian. He added that the four-week window for diplomacy did not reflect a real opportunity.
Possible NPT withdrawal raised in parliament
Baghaei also said Iran’s parliament—not the government—holds constitutional authority over membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require Tehran to leave the treaty if sanctions are restored.
Such a move would end international oversight of Iran’s nuclear program and raise concerns in Western capitals.
IAEA inspections
Asked about cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Baghaei said no decision had been made on continuing recent rounds of talks.
“So far, two rounds of negotiations with the IAEA were held with representatives of the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization, but no final result was reached,” he said.
He confirmed that two inspectors had recently entered Iran to oversee fuel loading at the Bushehr reactor, which he said was required. “At present there is no inspection in Iran, although contacts with the agency continue,” he added.
He said a framework for future cooperation was still under consideration: “The drafting of guidelines for interaction after the new developments has not been finalized and we are still deciding.”
Iran atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said Sunday that Tehran is preparing for another round of negotiations with the UN nuclear watchdog.
He said two IAEA inspectors were allowed to visit Bushehr to observe a fuel replacement process and that the visit had been authorized by the Supreme National Security Council. It was the first IAEA access since Iran suspended cooperation during the June conflict with Israel.
Eslami also dismissed the activation of the snapback mechanism as expected. “Our enemies always find excuses to pressure the Iranian nation,” he said, accusing the IAEA leadership of acting under Western influence.
Despite the tensions, Eslami said Tehran had informed the agency that enriched uranium stockpiles had not been moved and indicated Iran could return to the 3.67 percent enrichment cap set in the 2015 deal if its right to domestic enrichment is maintained.
Russia and China
Baghaei said Moscow and Beijing had already signaled opposition to the European step. “Russia and China have announced their position against the action of the three European countries.
"A joint letter by Iran, Russia and China has also been published, and we believe the Europeans lack the legal ground to resort to the dispute resolution mechanism,” he said.
He added that any discussion about extending Resolution 2231 — which underpins the 2015 deal — must take place in the UN Security Council, where Iran was consulting with Russia and China “to act in line with Iran’s interests.”
Disputes in Persian Gulf
Baghaei rejected a statement from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers that repeated claims over disputed territory and the Arash gas field.
“Repeating territorial claims that amount to coveting the territory of an independent state is unacceptable and does not create any rights for the other side,” he said, adding that Iran maintained dialogue with Kuwait but rejected the GCC position.
President’s China trip and SCO summit
The spokesperson said President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was significant, marking Iran’s third participation as a full member.
“Given international developments, this meeting and consultations are of greater importance. Meetings have taken place between our president and other heads of state,” Baghaei said.
He said the summit had produced important outcomes, including “the condemnation of aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran and the emphasis on Resolution 2231.” He added that further talks, including a bilateral with the Chinese president, were scheduled.
