Zakharova accuses Europe of duplicity in trying to reinstate sanctions against Iran.
A spokesperson for Russian diplomacy stated that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany violated UN Resolution 2231 and exposed the international system to erosion.
247 - An attempt by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to reinstate old UN sanctions against Iran has been described as an act of duplicity by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The statements were made on her Telegram channel and reported by the Russian news agency. TASS.
According to Zakharova, the Europeans improperly activated the so-called snapback mechanism — a procedure that would allow for the rapid restoration of Security Council restrictions against Tehran. “The parties should initially consider the claims within the dispute settlement mechanism. And only in the event of a complete deadlock should the matter be taken to the Security Council. Contrary to their own claims, London, Paris, and Berlin ignored these steps and submitted the document directly to the Council,” he stated.
Zakharova criticizes “cunning trick” and violation of Resolution 2231
The diplomat accused the Europeans of a "cunning trick" to circumvent UN Resolution 2231, which regulates the nuclear agreement with Iran. According to her, the maneuver not only violates legality but also deprives European countries of the right to resort to mechanisms provided for in international treaties.
“This seems like a double standard from the point of view of international law: if you yourself violate the rules, then you lose the right to use the mechanisms provided for in them. And they are serial violators of Resolution 2231,” he declared.
Zakharova further emphasized that when certain restrictions on Iran expired on October 18, 2023, the Europeans responded by imposing their own sanctions, outside the scope of the UN.
Russia and China reject European attempt.
The Russian representative stated that the Europeans' move is linked to the deadline of the nuclear agreement, which expires on October 18, 2024. According to her, London, Paris, and Berlin were "out of time" and tried to impose their decision before the start of the Russian presidency of the Security Council.
Moscow and Beijing opposed the initiative, arguing that it was necessary to maintain the legal integrity of the resolution and seek a diplomatic solution. "The issue is not merely political, but the aspiration to preserve legal perfection," said Zakharova.
She reported that Russia and China made a final attempt on September 26 to maintain the legitimacy and extend Resolution 2231, which could allow time for negotiations and avoid an unpredictable escalation. However, Western countries voted against it.
“The West exposed the system to erosion,” says Zakharova.
In conclusion, Zakharova accused the Europeans of violating two central principles of international law: pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be honored) and the Clean Hands Doctrine"The West has exposed the system of checks and balances to erosion," he criticized.
The crisis reveals yet another chapter in the geopolitical dispute surrounding the Iranian nuclear program and the validity of the 2015 agreement, which was shaken by the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018 and the continued pressure from Western powers.
