Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.

Iran warns of irreversible tensions if Europe triggers JCPOA snapback

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 12 May 2025 14:33
4 Min Read

With the JCPOA snapback deadline approaching in October, Iran’s FM warns European nations that reimposing UN sanctions could escalate tensions beyond repair.

Listen
  • x
  • Iran
    This handout picture provided by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on May 11, 2025, shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) descending the stairs of an aircraft upon his arrival in Muscat. (Iranian Foreign Ministry/AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a strong warning against any misuse of the JCPOA snapback mechanism, saying such an action would not only eliminate Europe’s role in the nuclear deal but could also push tensions to an irreversible level.

The snapback mechanism is a provision within the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iranian nuclear deal. It allows any participant state to unilaterally reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran if it is determined that Tehran is significantly non-compliant with the terms of the agreement.

European governments are considering triggering the JCPOA snapback mechanism, which would reinstate UN sanctions against Iran. The option expires in October, adding urgency to the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.

In a statement posted on X, Araghchi said, “We have officially warned all JCPOA signatories that any misuse of the snapback mechanism would lead to consequences—not only ending Europe’s role in the deal, but potentially escalating tensions to a point of no return.”

L'Iran a clairement fait connaître sa position. Nous avons officiellement averti tous les signataires du JCPOA qu'un abus du mécanisme de « snapback » entraînera des conséquences – non seulement la fin du rôle de l'Europe dans l'accord, mais aussi à une escalade des tensions…

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 11, 2025

Iran-E3 relations at a critical juncture

Referring to the three European signatories to the deal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Araghchi said, “The three European countries (E3) must ask themselves how the situation has reached such a deadlock.”

The warning follows renewed diplomatic efforts by Tehran aimed at salvaging relations with Europe.

“Following recent consultations with Russia and China, I expressed my readiness to travel to Paris, Berlin, and London to open a new chapter in relations,” Araghchi said.

He noted that this initiative had already prompted preliminary talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers, describing them as “fragile, yet promising.”

Related News

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: Drop Site

US holds joint military drills with Trinidad and Tobago near Venezuela

Iran calls for urgent diplomatic action

Araghchi emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating, “Time is running fast.” He stressed, “How we respond to this critical moment will shape the future of Iran-Europe relations more deeply than many expect. Iran is ready to turn the page. We hope our European partners have the same will.”

Iran-US conclude fourth round of indirect nuclear talks

The Iranian Foreign Minister's remarks came after Iran and the US concluded a new round of nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday with no breakthrough on the core issue of uranium enrichment.

However, both sides agreed to continue discussions in the near future.

This marked the fourth round of Iran-US nuclear talks in Oman within a month, and the highest-level contact since Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, JCPOA, during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2018.

Iran reaffirms enrichment as 'non-negotiable'

Araghchi, who led the Iranian delegation, reiterated Tehran’s firm position on uranium enrichment, saying it "must continue and there is no room for compromise on it."

However, he told Iranian state TV that Iran may be open to limiting the rate of enrichment to “help build trust,” suggesting a possible opening for future diplomatic compromise.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60%, well above the 3.67% limit set under the JCPOA, though still below weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on X that Oman would coordinate and announce the timing of the next round. Oman confirmed it would schedule future talks after both sides consult their leadership.

Read more: Iran reaffirms to UN chief Guterres right to uranium enrichment

Witkoff’s 'red line' on enrichment draws Iranian rejection

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and the US chief negotiator, had earlier declared uranium enrichment by Iran a “red line,” telling Breitbart News that  Iran’s "enrichment facilities have to be dismantled.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected these demands on Sunday, saying, “Iran will not give up its peaceful nuclear rights under any circumstances and will not back down from its rights in the face of pressure.”

Tehran maintained compliance with the nuclear deal for a year after Washington’s exit, before gradually scaling back commitments. Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran, while maintaining diplomatic outreach alongside warnings of possible military action.

Read more: Talks with US show signs of progress, next round in a week: Iran FM

  • United States
  • US
  • Iran-US talks
  • JCPOA
  • Nuclear Deal
  • Abbas Araghchi
  • Iran

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS