Iran vows response to ‘unjustified and illegal’ European sanctions snapback

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) meets with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in Tehran, Iran, on July 12, 2025. (Hamid FOROUTAN / Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AFP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) meets with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in Tehran, Iran, on July 12, 2025. (Hamid FOROUTAN / Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AFP)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will respond to a decision by France, Britain and Germany to trigger a mechanism reimposing UN sanctions under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond appropriately to this illegal and unjustified action by the three European countries, in order to protect and guarantee its national rights and interests,” Araghchi tells his French, British and German counterparts in a phone call, according to a statement from his ministry.

A senior Iranian official tells Reuters that the move is “an action against diplomacy, not a chance for it… However, Iran will continue diplomacy with the E3… [But] Iran will not concede under pressure.”

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot asserts that the decision does not signal the end of diplomacy.

“We are determined to use the 30-day period that is opening to engage in dialogue with Iran,” Barrot says on X. “We remain committed to diplomacy to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul calls for Iran’s full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and a clear commitment to direct negotiations with the United States, saying diplomacy can still continue.

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