Iran warns of ‘harsh’ response if ‘snapback’ mechanism invoked
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns that invoking the so-called “snapback mechanism” to re-impose the United Nations sanctions will be met with a “harsh” response from Tehran.
Araghchi made the remarks as he was briefing the Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy on Sunday on the fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in the Italian capital of Rome two days earlier.
The foreign minister led the fifth round of negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, as in the previous four rounds.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the talks, Araghchi hailed “one of the most professional” rounds of talks with the US, saying Tehran will continue to hold its ground and insist on its “completely clear” positions.
“This round was one of the most professional rounds of negotiations we have ever had. We once again announced the positions and principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the negotiations. Our positions are completely clear, and we stand firm on them,” the top Iranian negotiator said.
According to Ebrahim Rezaei, the parliamentary committee’s spokesman, the Iranian foreign minister told lawmakers Sunday that Tehran will never hold negotiations under pressure.
The lawmaker quoted Araghchi as saying that Iran will continue to pursue its wise and clear nuclear policy, which he said is not subject to pressure, threats, or enticements.
“The foreign minister also pointed to the Israeli regime’s opposition to uranium enrichment inside Iran and said that if a war occurs in the region, all countries will be affected and the entire region will be impacted,” he added.
Pointing to proposals drawn up in the Rome talks, Araghchi said Iran welcomes the establishment of a regional enrichment center. However, the minister clarified that enrichment activities will continue inside Iran, Rezaei explained.
He further quoted Araghchi as saying that Iran has never left the negotiating table and would continue the path of diplomacy.
Since April, Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of indirect negotiations in Rome and the Omani capital of Muscat over Iran’s nuclear program.
The US side has repeatedly shifted its positions during the talks, prompting criticism from Iranian officials, who said “contradictory” statements will not help the diplomatic process.
