Senior lawmaker downplays snapback as mere psychological tactic

The conditional approval of Iran’s accession to the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) convention puts the country on a “historic but ambiguous path,” Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards wrote on Thursday.

The outlet warned the move could carry “very heavy and irreparable” consequences for national security and sovereignty.

The main concern is the potential labeling of regional resistance groups as terrorism by Western states, Fars wrote, adding that such a clash could become not only a legal issue but also a “strategic challenge for Iran’s diplomacy and national interests.”

Canada announced on Wednesday it is reimposing previously lifted United Nations sanctions on Iran, citing Tehran’s continued nuclear activity and failure to meet international obligations.

“Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities remain a serious threat to regional and international security,” Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in an announcement.

The amended UN Iran Regulations reintroduce sweeping restrictions, including bans on nuclear and dual-use exports, a comprehensive arms embargo, and service prohibitions for Iranian vessels.

The move follows the E3 activation of the JCPOA snapback mechanism in August, which restored UN sanctions against Iran on September 28. Canada said it acted in line with UN obligations.

The commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ ground forces urged resilience against adversaries, saying Iran should not be deterred by advanced foreign weapons and must rely on the Quran to drive technological progress.

“The false front has come with all its power and tools, so we must also stand firm,” Mohammad Karami said on Thursday.

“If we see some advanced equipment from the enemy, we should not retreat,” Karami said.

Any future aggression would draw heavier, more precise and deadlier retaliation, marking a new, costlier phase of confrontation, said Iran's Revolutionary Guards on the anniversary of Tehran’s second direct operation against Israel.

“The era of cost-free threats and regret-inducing responses by the enemy has ended,” the IRGC said in a Thursday statement.

“Any new mistake or possible aggression from the enemy’s camp will receive a heavier, more precise and deadly response, a response that will be capable of bringing Israel closer to the promised hell,” the Guards added.

Wasteful spending and mismanagement have damaged the country more than any threat of renewed international sanctions, said Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.

He said cutting state costs could free billions for social needs.

“We have these resources, yet we are hungry,” Pezeshkian said during his visit to Hormozgan province.

The president added that a ten percent reduction in government expenses could amount to 16 to 18 billion dollars annually, enough to improve housing and livelihoods.