Russia's Permanent Mission Condemns EU3 Decision on Sanctions Against Iran

RUSSIA is disappointed with the decision of the EU-3 countries – Great Britain , Germany and France – to use a mechanism that restores all sanctions against Iran, said Dmitry Polyansky, acting permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the UN.

“This step by European countries, in our opinion, has absolutely no legal force, because they did not conscientiously implement Resolution 2231,” Polyansky said, speaking to journalists at the UN headquarters ( quoted by RIA Novosti).

UN Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted in July 2015, endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program. The document, signed by international mediators Great Britain , Germany , CHINA , Russia, the United States , and France , sets a timetable for lifting UN sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities, and also provides for international inspections and creates mechanisms to monitor compliance with the JCPOA.

In addition, as Polyansky emphasized, a return to sanctions will affect the overall climate on issues related to the Iranian nuclear program and complicate international cooperation. “Nothing happens for us because we do not recognize the legal grounds for such a ‘snapback,’” the diplomat noted.

In December 2024 , the United Kingdom, Germany, and France declared in the UN Security Council that they were ready, if necessary, to initiate the so-called snapback mechanism, which would reimpose international sanctions on Iran. This mechanism is spelled out at the beginning of the nuclear deal agreement. In particular, it states that any state party can inform the UN Security Council of a "material failure to fulfill obligations" under the agreement, after which the council can put to a vote a draft resolution "on continuing the termination regime."

Earlier today, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK announced that they had sent a letter to members of the UN Security Council notifying them of the launch of a mechanism that would reinstate sanctions on Iran. According to the joint statement, if no agreement is reached within 30 days, all previous UN sanctions would automatically be reinstated and would include an arms embargo on Iran, cargo screenings and restrictions on its missile programme.

Iran's Foreign Ministry called the three countries' decision a "provocative and unjustified escalation." Tehran said it would respond "appropriately" to the EU3's actions.

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