Iran Rejects Demand to Exchange Enriched Uranium for "Sanctions Relief Period"

Iranian President Pezeshkian stated on the 27th that Iran has rejected the US demand to exchange all enriched uranium for a three-month "sanctions relief period" for Iran.

According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on the same day, Pezeshkian told reporters before leaving New York for home after attending the UN General Assembly that during the General Assembly, Iran held consultations with several European countries and achieved some results. However, the US demand for Iran to hand over all enriched uranium in exchange for a three-month "sanctions relief period" is "absolutely unacceptable."

Pezeshkian also stated that Iran has made necessary arrangements to deal with the activation of the "snapback" mechanism.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 27th saying that due to the "irresponsible approach" taken by the UK, France, and Germany in utilizing the JCPOA dispute resolution mechanism and promoting the restoration of UN Security Council sanctions against Iran that had been terminated, the Iranian ambassadors to these three countries have been recalled to Iran for consultations.

On the 26th, the Security Council voted on a draft resolution aimed at extending the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed it. The draft resolution, proposed by China and Russia, was not adopted. Had it been adopted, the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 would have been extended for six months, during which parties could reach a compromise through diplomatic negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, while attending the Security Council meeting that day, criticized the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany for the failure to adopt the draft resolution. He stated that all nuclear-related restrictions stipulated in Resolution 2231 must permanently expire on the agreed date of October 18, 2025, and Iran will not recognize any attempts to renew, restore, or implement these restrictions beyond that date.

On August 28, the JCPOA participants the UK, France, and Germany notified the UN Security Council, citing Iran's violation of the nuclear agreement, that they were initiating the "snapback" mechanism. According to this mechanism, unless the Security Council passes a resolution to continue the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the UN sanctions on Iran that were in place before 2015 will be reinstated within 30 days.