Iran will take retaliatory measures if the UN reinstates international sanctions over its nuclear program. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai, quoted by Reuters, reports News.bg.
However, he did not specify what specific actions Tehran would take.
The warning comes after a diplomatic source from France reported last week that European powers may activate the so-called "sanctions reinstatement mechanism" (snapback mechanism) if a new agreement is not reached to guarantee Europe's nuclear security.
The "restitution" mechanism is enshrined in the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA), concluded between Iran and six world powers: Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia and China. It allows for the re-imposition of international sanctions in the event of serious violations by Iran.
"Threats to activate this mechanism are devoid of legal and political basis and will receive an appropriate and proportionate response from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Baghaei said.
He accused European countries of "grossly and materially failing to fulfill their obligations" under the deal and added that they have "neither legal nor moral grounds" to activate the mechanism.
Western countries have long suspected Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons – an accusation that Tehran strongly denies.
The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who described it as "weak". Since his re-instatement in January, Trump has been pushing for a resumption of negotiations with the aim of reaching a new and stronger agreement.
The context surrounding this diplomatic push is complicated by the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, reached after a 12-day military conflict in the region.
When asked if a meeting was planned between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump's special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Baghaei said that there is no date or place set for the resumption of talks.