Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has issued a stern warning: if the snapback mechanism is activated — meaning previous UN sanctions are reimposed on Iran — Tehran will suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
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What Is the “Snapback” Mechanism?
The snapback mechanism is a built-in clause from the 2015 nuclear deal (the JCPOA). Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, if Iran is judged to be in serious breach of its obligations, any party to the agreement can push to reimpose all UN sanctions that had been lifted.
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In recent weeks, Britain, France, and Germany have moved to trigger the snapback, saying Iran has failed to cooperate properly with the IAEA.
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Larijani’s Remarks & Context
In an interview with PBS, Larijani said that Iran views the potential use of snapback as a hostile action. He argued that the IAEA itself has confirmed Iran is not trying to build nuclear weapons.
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He added that new inspection rules would be needed if nuclear facilities were attacked; thus, simply applying old inspection protocols may not be safe or suitable.
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Larijani also said that the decision to suspend cooperation has been backed by Iran’s Parliament — meaning it’s not just a statement, but a legally backed position.
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If the snapback is avoided and behavior changes, Iran says it would continue working with the IAEA.
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Why This Threat Matters
Reduced Oversight
If Iran stops cooperating with the IAEA, inspectors might lose access to nuclear sites. That would reduce transparency about Iran’s nuclear program.
Diplomatic Fallout
Suspending cooperation would heighten tensions with Western countries and could lead to harsher diplomatic and economic responses.
Regional & Global Security Risks
Less oversight means international actors may fear Iran is expanding capabilities in secret — increasing mistrust, instability, or risk of escalation.
Undermining Agreements
The move would weaken the JCPOA framework, which relies heavily on inspection and verification by the IAEA.
What Could Happen Next
The UN Security Council is likely to vote soon on reimposing sanctions via snapback.
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Iran and European powers have been negotiating to find a middle ground. Larijani says Iran accepted many proposals but rejected what it deems “unreasonable demands.”
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If sanctions snap back, Iran may formally end inspection deals or alter rules for access, especially for sites that were damaged.
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The IAEA will face difficult decisions: push for access, mediate with Iran, or publicly confront non-cooperation.
In simple terms: Larijani is saying that Iran’s patience has limits. If old UN sanctions return through snapback, Iran will pull back from key parts of its international nuclear oversight. How the world reacts — and whether Iran follows through — will shape the future of nuclear diplomacy in the region.