Iran works with China, Russia to avert possible European sanctions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran is coordinating with China and Russia to prevent potential European sanctions.

On Tuesday, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres that they are prepared to re-activate sanctions on Iran if no negotiated solution to its nuclear program is reached by the end of August.

Speaking to state television, Araghchi warned: “If that happens, it will be negative. We will try to prevent it. We are working with China and Russia to stop it.” He added, “If it doesn’t succeed and they implement it, we have tools to respond. We will talk about them at the right time.”

The foreign ministers of the three European states, known as the E3, have threatened to trigger the “snapback mechanism” from the 2015 nuclear deal, which eased UN Security Council sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “We have made it clear that unless Iran is willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or takes the opportunity for an extension, the E3 is prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism.”

Araghchi called the return to sanctions a “negative” move but claimed there was “exaggeration” about its potential economic consequences.

Last month, Araghchi sent a letter to the UN arguing that the E3 lacks the legitimacy to reinstate sanctions. In their Tuesday letter, the three ministers countered that there is “no basis” for his claim.