Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, speaking before the open session of parliament, addressed the so-called “snapback” mechanism aimed at reimposing U.N. sanctions on Iran. He stated that the snapback does not constitute new economic sanctions that would be added to existing ones.

“Despite all efforts by the US, it has failed to prevent Iran’s oil sales, and our foreign trade continues despite challenges and obstacles,” Qalibaf said.

He accused the enemy of creating anxiety among the Iranian people by pushing to trigger the snapback mechanism. Qalibaf reiterated that the Islamic Republic has repeatedly declared the use of this mechanism illegal, a position he said has been formally supported by other U.N. Security Council members, namely Russia and China.

Qalibaf argued that three European nations, having failed to meet their commitments under the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have no right to activate Paragraph 37 of the agreement. He claimed they have instead initiated an illegal process to restore sanctions.

“It is necessary for Iran to take a deterrent action against this illegal move by the European parties to change the enemy’s decision on activating the snapback mechanism,” Qalibaf said. He added that a unified decision by the Islamic Republic would soon be announced and implemented.

The Parliament speaker downplayed the impact of the potential U.N. sanctions, stating they are related to Iran’s nuclear activities and are “far less effective” than the broad, unilateral sanctions already imposed by the US. He emphasized that the reinstated U.N. resolutions would not add new economic sanctions to the current regime.

Qalibaf also contested the idea that the snapback would create a legal foundation for US sanctions, arguing that the U.N. resolutions involve less severe measures and do not include sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

He pointed to Russia and China’s rejection of the snapback as illegal, which he said undermines the legitimacy of the European effort and means a significant part of the international community will not seriously implement the sanctions.