Tehran, Iran — Iran has accused Britain, France, and Germany of failing to uphold their commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, intensifying tensions as European nations threaten to reimpose sanctions over Tehran’s atomic program.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated, “The European parties have been at fault and negligent in implementing the nuclear agreement.” His remarks come after the three European countries warned that sanctions could be reinstated if Iran does not return to the negotiating table.
The 2015 agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. However, in 2018, the United States withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually reduce its compliance.
Britain, France, and Germany—key signatories of the deal—have expressed concern over Iran’s accelerated nuclear activities. They recently issued a joint statement urging Iran to reverse its course and comply with the agreement, signaling that failure to do so could lead to renewed sanctions.
Iran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has criticized the European nations for not compensating for the U.S. withdrawal and subsequent sanctions. “They have not fulfilled their obligations, and now they are threatening Iran instead of addressing their own shortcomings,” Baqaei added.
The escalating tensions raise questions about the future of the JCPOA and stability in the region. Observers worry that failure to revive the deal could lead to increased confrontation and nuclear proliferation concerns.
The international community is watching closely as both sides navigate this critical juncture. The coming weeks may prove pivotal in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over discord.
