EU flags worries over Iran nuclear program, missiles and Russia support

"We offered Iran an extension to snapback, should Iran take specific steps to address our most immediate concerns," Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations said on Friday.

"Our asks were fair and realistic. Iran's resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, Iran's compliance with its IAEA obligations and steps to address our concerns regarding the high enriched uranium stockpile," she added with her German and French counterparts standing next to her.

"However, as of today, Iran has shown no indication that it is serious about meeting them."

She urged Iran to reconsider its position and "to reach an agreement based on our offer, and to help create the space for a diplomatic solution to this issue for the long term."

"Iran is committed to diplomacy but will not negotiate under the pressure of threats," Iran's envoy to the UN said on Friday, as he condemned the European powers' move to trigger the snapback mechanism as a violation of international commitments.

Amir-Saeed Iravani said Tehran remains committed to its "peaceful nuclear program" and will defend its rights.

"Iran supports the draft resolution put forward by Russia and China for the technical extension of Resolution 2231 on the nuclear agreement," Iran's ambassador to the UN Amir-Saeed Iravani said.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Iran on Friday, one day after Britain, France and Germany triggered the so-called "snapback" mechanism which will restore UN sanctions on Tehran after 30 days unless a new resolution blocks it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the move by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to trigger the UN snapback mechanism, saying it reduces the likelihood of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and will prompt a response from Tehran.

“As I have made abundantly clear, the E3’s decision will have significant adverse impacts on diplomacy. It will severely undermine the ongoing dialogue between Iran and the IAEA. It will also compel an appropriate response,” Araghchi posted on X on Friday.

Araghchi added that since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as JCPOA, Europe has failed to meet its obligations under the agreement.

“The reality is that we are at a point where the West cannot even guarantee that it will cease further unlawful military strikes on my people while negotiations are held,” Araghchi said.

Iran's oil minister told the state TV the "snapback" mechanism triggered by European powers could impose restrictions on Tehran's oil sales that may require further countermeasures, but stressed the Islamic Republic will not be constrained by them.

"We have faced restrictions on oil sales for years, and this has given us the expertise to bypass such sanctions. Our current team can devise different ways of overcoming these restrictions," Mohsen Paknjead said.

"The snapback sanctions can move us toward conditions that require new countermeasures, but we won't be tied down by them," he added.