Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi. Credit Line: Muhammed Enes Yildirim / AFP / Profimedia
Iran said on Thursday that he was working with China and Russia to prevent the reintroduction of European sanctions against Tehran, after the UK, France and Germany have threatened to impose measures again because of the Iranian nuclear program, AFP reports.
“We will try to prevent this,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with state television.
“We work with China and Russia to stop this. If this does not work and apply them, we have the necessary tools to answer. We will discuss them at the right time,” added the head of Iranian diplomacy.
The three European powers, the so-called “E3” format, told the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Getterres on Wednesday that I am ready to reintroduce sanctions against Tehran if a diplomatic solution is not found until the end of August.
“E3 are ready to trigger the mechanism”
The three nations were among the signatories of the 2015 agreement, which involved lifting sanctions in exchange for restrictions for Iran's nuclear program. The agreement, which expires in October, includes a mechanism that allows the restoration of sanctions.
“I have shown clearly that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025 or do not take advantage of the opportunity for an extension, the E3 are ready to trigger the mechanism,” said Foreign Ministers in the UK, France and Germany, in a common letter.
“If Iran continues to violate its international obligations, France and its German and British partners will reduce global embargo over weapons, nuclear equipment and bank restrictions that were erected 10 years ago, at the end of August,” wrote the head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot.
The 2015 agreement, known as the Common Plan of Complete Action (JCPOA), was effectively collapsed after Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from understanding in 2018, during its first mandate at the White House, and to reintroduce the paralyzing sanctions of Washington.
European countries have tried to maintain it in force.
This year, the US Army has joined the Israeli bombing campaign on Iran's nuclear installations. Israel launched the offensive while Washington and Tehran were in discussions on the Iranian nuclear program – the discussions have not been resumed since.
