Russia, China envoys lay into US over Iran snapback claim

Senior Russian and Chinese diplomats have lashed out at the United States over Washington’s unrealistic claim that its abortive campaign to bring back the United Nations’ sanctions against Iran has actually resulted in restoring the bans.

"US claims that previous UN sanctions are re-imposed on #Iran and threatens that all those who disagree with the US national interpretation of snapback will be punished," Russian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted on Sunday. The envoy called such position “unjustifiable.”

Last month, US Secretary of State Pompeo told the UN that his country was “initiating” a process to return the sanctions, citing what he called Iran’s violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and others.

Thirteen members of the UN Security Council’s 15-strong board, however, refused to lend any credit to the US bid, reminding that Washington left the JCPOA in 2018, therefore, giving up the right to invoke the sanction “snapback” mechanism that is included in the deal.

On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he could not take any action on the US demand on grounds of “uncertainty” about whether Washington’s bid had ever been initiated and the bans restored.

The remarks came after Pompeo insisted that the sanctions had snapped back on Saturday and threatened the countries potentially defying this with “consequences.”

Iran on US histrionics: Sanctions are not back except in Pompeo’s imaginary world

Iran scoffs at US efforts to pretend as if its push to return the UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic have produced its intended result.

"Ironically and cynically, Washington calls this unjustifiable position a step toward int. peace and security," the Russian official added.

The JCPOA was hailed upon its conclusion as a pillar of regional and international peace and security. The rest of its signatories -- the UK, France, Russia, and China plus Germany -- have changelessly been reprimanding the US over its withdrawal from the deal.

Despite being among the US’s arch-allies, the European trio of London, Paris, and Berlin has likewise refused to validate Washington’s claim that the anti-Iran sanctions have in effect been reinstated.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also minced no words in deriding the United States’ allegations.

"Now, they are trying to force everyone to put on 'augmented reality glasses' labeled 'made in USA' and perceive what is happening around Iran and the JCPOA exclusively through them,” it said in a statement. “But the world is not an American computer game," the ministry added.

US snapback push against Iran 'theatrical performance': Russia

Russia has censured a unilateral declaration by the United States on the restoration of UN sanctions against Iran as a “theatrical performance” that aims to mislead the international community.

China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun, meanwhile, wrote t to the Security Council, calling Pompeo’s remarks unilateral and re-emphasizing the fact that the US’s departure from the JCPOA took away all of its rights to benefit from the agreement in any way.

“Therefore, it is illegitimate for the United States to demand the Security Council invoke the snapback mechanism,” the Chinese envoy said.

“China is committed to upholding the efficacy of the JCPOA and the authority of the Security Council resolution, and will make relentless efforts toward the political solution of the Iranian nuclear issue,” he added.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin echoed the Chinese ambassador’s remarks by saying the US’s withdrawal from the nuclear accord has rendered whatever snapback demand on the part of Washington into a “baseless” request.

Beijing follows up Iran’s nuclear issue closely, he added, reasserting that Washington has no right to return any sanction against the Islamic Republic.

"The United States is no longer a party to the JCPOA. Its letter to the Security Council on Aug. 20 has no legal validity, nor does the United States have any right to demand that the Security Council invoke a snapback," Wang said.

Wang said the international community decidedly opposes America’s attempt at resorting to the snapback mechanism and unilateralism, reiterating his country’s stance that the JCPOA contributes to peace and security in the Middle East region

Wang pointed to the president of the Security Council's decision not to take further action on the US push to trigger the snapback.

"Therefore, the Security Council, pursuant to Resolution 2231, will continue with its ways with regards to the sanctions on Iran," Wang said.

According to Wang, parties to the JCPOA, including China, Russia, France, the UK and Germany have sent letters respectively to the Security Council president to make clear their opposition to the US unilateral announcement on restoring sanctions. The European Union also put out a statement. "All these reflect the shared position and consensus of the international community," he said.

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