Iran vows 'severe' response to West's snapback of UN sanctions
Iran has warned the West against the “unjust” trigger of a "snapback" of sanctions on the Islamic Republic at the United Nations, saying it would draw a dire response.
The warning by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi on Tuesday came amid threats by the West to activate the mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"The unjust use of the trigger mechanism will ensue an appropriate and severe response from Iran," Kamalvani said.
The official said the return of UN sanctions on Iran through the "snapback" mechanism is part of Western countries' pressure on Iran over its peaceful nuclear program.
"One of the pressure tools that Western countries are talking about these days is the use of the trigger mechanism. It is truly ridiculous that they want to punish Iran for a violation that others committed," he said.
Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and the failure of the Europeans as parties to the agreement to protect Iran from unilateral US sanctions upended the deal’s promise of financial normalization for Iran, inflicting severe harm on its economy and people.
As a result, Tehran started to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA in a series of pre-announced and clear steps after a year of waiting for the other signatories of the deal to compensate Iran.
"If they had fulfilled their commitments and the sanctions had been lifted, and if the US had not withdrawn from the JCPOA, naturally Iran would have fulfilled its commitments," Kamalvandi said.
"If Iran has stopped its commitments, it is because it does not benefit from the general rule of the agreement."
Kamalvani dismissed the "snapback" of UN sanctions on Iran as a "hollow and empty threat" .
"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the trigger mechanism as a tool of pressure like other economic and military threats and will certainly stand firm against them and defend the country's rights," he said.
Iran, Kamalvandi said, is always ready for engagement, but it does not accept pressure under any circumstances.
"The general policies of our country have been specified by the Supreme Leader, and naturally, we pursue the country's interests within the framework of those policies," he added.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Friday said threats by Western countries “will get them nowhere,” warning of reciprocal measures “if they do anything malign” against Iran.
Iran urges Syrian regime to act against mass killing of civilians
US intel report: Iran ‘not building nuclear weapon’
Iranian diplomat urges accountability amid rising Islamophobia in West
Explainer: What does Iran's newly-unveiled largest subterranean 'missile city' reveal?
US intelligence agencies blame HTS administration for massacres in Syria
Israelis protest against Netanyahu, demand ceasefire deal with Hamas
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Russia: Conditions must be met before Black Sea ceasefire implemented
VIDEO | Gaza: Middle East on the edge
Iran to continue standing by Palestine through military ops: Quds Force chief
China says US 'weaponizing' trade and technology
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
