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Iran summons its ambassadors in protest against the activation of the "Trigger Mechanism"
In a provocative step just hours before the implementation of new UN sanctions, Iran summoned its ambassadors to Germany, France, and the United Kingdom on Saturday evening for consultations, in response to its protest against the activation of the European countries’ "Trigger Mechanism," according to Iranian official media. Tehran described this move as an "irresponsible and unjust decision," indicating differing international stances regarding the upcoming sanctions.
This escalation follows the failure of Russia and China’s efforts to delay the re-imposition of international sanctions on Iran, as only four UN Security Council members voted in favor of the draft resolution, paving the way for the sanctions' return amid Iranian threats to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with which Iran signed a new cooperation agreement in Cairo last September.
In this context, Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held extensive talks with Europeans during the General Assembly meetings at the United Nations in New York, especially with the French side. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, as European diplomats described the Iranian proposals as unserious. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi acknowledged during his presence in New York that consultations with Europeans did not yield satisfactory results, while French President Emmanuel Macron stated that there was a possibility to avoid activating the sanctions if Iran responded to the European troika’s conditions, which include allowing IAEA inspectors to enter all nuclear facilities, responding to the risks of the enriched uranium stockpile, and engaging in dialogue with the United States.
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran would not bow to external pressures, a clear indication that the sanctions— which will be reinstated on Saturday evening after being suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal—are approaching. This step marks a new turning point in Iran’s nuclear file and its international relations.
