Russia сondemns EU and UK attempt to renew UN sanctions on Iran

Russia has strongly criticised the attempt by the UK, France, and Germany to reactivate UN sanctions against Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry noted that on August 28, the foreign ministers of the UK, Germany, and France sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, citing Iran’s alleged significant non-compliance with its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on its nuclear program.

This move follows the launch of a 30-day process by Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme. The step comes amid accusations that Tehran has failed to abide by the 2015 agreement with world powers, which aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

“This letter is presented as a notification under paragraph 11 of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which would trigger steps to reinstate long-abolished UN sanctions against Iran. In reality, it cannot be regarded as such. We strongly condemn these actions by European countries and call on the international community to reject them. Such manipulations cannot create obligations for other states,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry further stated that the actions of these European JCPOA participants represent “a blatant attempt to manipulate the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.” Russia emphasised that the so-called “snapback” mechanism for reinstating previous sanctions is a unique and complex procedural tool with no precedent globally. According to the Foreign Ministry, the UK and the “Euro duo” have assumed the right to interpret the procedure at their discretion.

“However, the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 were established on a carefully balanced set of interests, without which the agreements cannot function,” the ministry added.

By Tamilla Hasanova