Iran has warned of a proportionate and appropriate response to threats by France, Britain, and Germany (E3) to reimpose nuclear sanctions. The move follows escalating tensions after recent Israeli-US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, with Tehran denouncing the E3 threat as politically motivated and diplomatically unjustified under the 2015 JCPOA framework.
In a stark warning to European powers, Iran announced it will deliver “a proportionate and appropriate response” if France, Britain, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—reactivate sanctions under the nuclear deal’s snapback mechanism. The statement was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei during a weekly press briefing on Monday.
Baghaei’s comments came in response to recent threats from the E3 to reinstate international sanctions against Iran, citing Tehran’s expanding nuclear activities as a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—the 2015 nuclear accord. He described the threat as politically motivated and devoid of any legal or moral credibility.
“Iran will not tolerate pressure or coercion masked as diplomacy,” Baghaei asserted. “Our response will be calibrated, proportionate, and aligned with Iran’s national interests.”
JCPOA Dispute Deepens
The JCPOA, signed in 2015, was meant to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the deal has been hanging by a thread since the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump and reinstated harsh sanctions. Iran responded by gradually reducing its compliance with the agreement, citing “flagrant violations” by Washington and a lack of protection from European signatories.
Baghaei emphasized that despite reduced compliance, Iran still considers itself a member of the JCPOA. He accused the E3 of failing to honor their own obligations under the agreement, especially during times when US pressure surged.
“Triggering the snapback mechanism now, after years of silence and inaction by the E3, particularly amid Israeli-US sabotage and strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, is a hypocritical and non-constructive move,” Baghaei added.
Impact of Israeli-US Attacks
The spokesman also pointed to recent escalations that have drastically heightened tensions in the region. Between April and June, Iran and the United States engaged in five rounds of indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. However, just before the scheduled sixth round of talks in Oman on June 15, Israel launched major airstrikes targeting key Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The attacks killed several high-ranking commanders, nuclear scientists, and innocent civilians.
In retaliation, Iran launched successive waves of missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. The conflict spiraled when, on June 22, US forces bombed three crucial Iranian nuclear facilities—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran promptly responded by striking the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel was eventually achieved on June 24, ending a 12-day escalation that brought the region to the brink of full-scale war.
No Nuclear Talks Without Trust
Baghaei made it clear that nuclear negotiations with the United States would not resume unless Iran is assured that diplomacy will yield tangible and trustworthy results.
“The negotiation table is not a platform for deception or strategic ambush,” Baghaei warned. “For talks to continue, there must be evidence that the diplomatic path is not a dead-end.”
The Iranian government’s stance reflects a hardened position, shaped by the volatile developments over the past months. Analysts suggest that the E3’s decision to threaten the snapback of sanctions could further entrench Iran’s reluctance to engage, deepening the nuclear standoff.
Regional Implications
The prospect of the E3 invoking the snapback mechanism raises serious concerns in the global diplomatic community. The mechanism, built into the JCPOA, allows for the reimposition of all previous United Nations sanctions if Iran is deemed to be in significant non-compliance. If activated, it could lead to further diplomatic isolation and economic hardship for Iran—yet may also spark a retaliatory spiral in the already unstable Middle East.
With the region still reeling from the recent Iran-Israel conflict and broader geopolitical fault lines widening, the stakes are high. Iran’s vow of proportionate retaliation signals that any further provocation, diplomatic or military, will not go unanswered.
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As diplomatic pressure mounts and uncertainty looms over the fate of the JCPOA, observers are closely watching how the E3 will proceed—and whether a path to de-escalation still exists.
