Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Aug 23: In a significant diplomatic exchange, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone conversation to discuss mounting tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly the renewed threat by France, Britain, and Germany (the E3) to invoke the snapback mechanism and reinstate UN sanctions.

The call, held on Friday and detailed in a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry early Saturday, underscored shared concerns over what Tehran called the E3's lack of "legal and moral competence" to act against Iran. The Iranian statement accused the E3 of having “flagrantly violated” UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — the resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

At the heart of the dispute is the snapback clause within the JCPOA, which allows for the reimposition of international sanctions should Iran be found non-compliant with its nuclear commitments. With Resolution 2231 set to expire on October 18, Tehran and Moscow appear unified in opposing any extension or reactivation of sanctions through this clause.

Araghchi also held a separate call earlier in the day with E3 foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, where he outlined Iran’s stance and objections to the E3’s potential move. The discussion concluded with a decision to resume nuclear negotiations between Iran and the E3 next Tuesday at the deputy foreign minister level.

This upcoming round of talks will be the latest in a series of efforts to revive diplomacy, following previous meetings held since September 2024, the most recent of which took place in Istanbul in late July. As the deadline for Resolution 2231’s expiration approaches, all eyes will be on whether these negotiations can prevent a renewed sanctions standoff and breathe life back into the stalled nuclear deal.