Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif addressed recent statements made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov concerning Iran sanctions. Lavrov had claimed that Iran triggered the reactivation of U.N. sanctions through the snapback mechanism under Resolution 2231. Zarif pushed back, emphasizing that the assertion misrepresented Iran’s position.
Zarif revealed that he had prepared a full statement to correct what he called a misinterpretation of Lavrov’s comments. He explained that senior figures advised him not to release the statement publicly. Initially, Zarif had planned to share the text after the activation of Clause 8 of Resolution 2231.
According to Zarif, the dispute reflects deeper disagreements during the 2015 nuclear negotiations. He accused Russia and France of proposing an unacceptable plan to Iran. The proposal would have suspended U.N. resolutions every six months, significantly weakening Iran’s negotiating position. Zarif stated that he directly challenged the plan during discussions.
He also indicated that the plan should be attributed to Lavrov, claiming that the Russian minister played a key role in suggesting the approach. Zarif described the proposal as a “very bad plan” that could have undermined Iran’s interests. He emphasized that Iranian negotiators worked hard to remove the plan from consideration.
The former foreign minister expressed frustration over the current misrepresentation of his past efforts. He warned that presenting Iran as responsible for snapback actions misleads the international community. Zarif’s comments suggest that tensions over Iran sanctions continue to shape global diplomatic conversations.
Furthermore, Zarif noted that Iran consistently sought fair treatment in all negotiations. He said Iranian diplomats carefully scrutinized any proposals that could limit national sovereignty. According to him, vigilance during the 2015 talks prevented harmful resolutions from taking effect.
In summary, Zarif’s statements reaffirm Iran’s stance on international agreements and the nuclear deal framework. He clarified that Iran never intended to trigger snapback sanctions. The dispute with Lavrov highlights ongoing challenges in interpreting complex international agreements.
Iran sanctions remain a central point of tension, reflecting the country’s efforts to safeguard its interests. The debate shows how historical negotiations continue to influence current diplomatic narratives.
Zarif’s decision not to release his full statement leaves questions about potential clarifications unresolved. Overall, Iran sanctions discussions illustrate the complexity of multilateral diplomacy. They also reveal the careful balance countries must strike when addressing historical and current obligations under U.N. resolutions.