Iran tells UN sanctions snapback illegal, vows ‘firm response’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is urging UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to prevent a revival of mechanisms to implement UN sanctions after they were reimposed on Tehran, claiming that there is no legal basis for them.

“We urge you to prevent any attempt to revive the sanctions mechanisms, including the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts,” Araghchi writes in a letter posted on X.

In the letter, Araghchi claims that the snapback moves triggered by the UK, Germany and France to revoke a resolution that had lifted sanctions on Iran were procedurally flawed and therefore cannot have any effect.

“The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable… all countries must refrain from recognizing this illegal situation,” the letter reads.

He also argues that Israel and US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June “have fundamentally altered the situation, rendering the terminated resolutions obsolete and irrelevant.”

Araghchi’s letter adds that Tehran will not recognize any attempt to extend, revive or enforce UN sanctions, while declaring that any curbs on nuclear activity — which Tehran has long blown past, according to the UN’s nuclear watchdog — will expire as planned on October 18.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will firmly defend its national rights and interests, and any action aimed at undermining the rights and interests of its people will face a firm and appropriate response,” it adds.