Iran refuses nuclear talks with UK, Germany, France after snapback attempt

Iran has announced that it will no longer engage in discussions with the “E3” countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and France — on matters related to its nuclear programme, following their attempt to activate the UN snapback mechanism to restore sanctions against Tehran.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told TASS that Tehran views the E3’s actions as a violation of international law.

“Negotiations with the United States are one thing; talks with the E3 are another. After the snapback episode, we decided not to hold discussions with them regarding the nuclear programme, as their actions ran counter to international law,” Khatibzadeh said. “Our relations with European countries continue, but we have no intention of discussing the nuclear issue with them — especially since Germany is not a member of the UN Security Council.”

On September 26, the UN Security Council rejected a Russia- and China-backed draft resolution that would have extended for six months the validity of Resolution 2231, which underpins the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Two days later, the Council’s sanctions against Iran came back into force.

On September 29, the EU Council followed the E3’s lead and decided to partially reinstate restrictions on Iran. The measures include travel bans for several individuals, asset freezes for designated persons and entities, trade limitations, a freeze on the assets of Iran’s Central Bank and several major commercial banks, and a ban on servicing Iranian cargo flights at European airports.

By Vugar Khalilov