Iran slams major European countries over nuclear deal, recalls ambassadors; warns of setting dangerous…

New Delhi: Iran on Saturday, 27 September 2025, recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations. The Foreign Ministry described it as a response to the “extremely irresponsible” actions of the three European countries that attempted to reimpose old UN Security Council sanctions using the dispute resolution mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’. (JCPOA).

What is JCPOA?

Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to constrain its nuclear programme by limiting fuel cycle activities that could lead to the production of weapons-grade uranium or plutonium.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement to limit the Iranian nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief and other provisions. The agreement was finalised in Vienna on 14 July 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), China, France, Russia, the U.K., U.S., plus Germany, together with the European Union.

Iran warns of dangerous precedent

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday, September 26, condemned this attempt by Western countries and warned that it would set a “dangerous precedent” and undermine confidence in the global system.

Russia and China expressed regret over the rejection of their draft resolution to suspend sanctions on Iran in the UN Security Council, while the USA and UK called it a necessary step.

E3 signed the 2015 JCPOA agreement

The E3 countries (Germany, France, and the UK) signed the 2015 JCPOA agreement, which imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear programme and ensured that its programme was solely for peaceful purposes.

Under this agreement, approved by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors to verify that its nuclear programme serves only peaceful purposes.

Iran accused international nuclear inspectors

However, following the US and Israeli attacks, Iran stopped cooperation with the IAEA, alleging that international nuclear inspectors were biased against it. On August 28, the E3 countries activated the ‘snapback’ mechanism under Security Council Resolution 2231. Under this, the restrictions will be implemented again from September 28.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Iran has slammed three major European countries over the nuclear deal
• Iran has recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations.
• Iran described it as a response to the extremely irresponsible actions of the three European countries.
• The JCPOA is an agreement to limit the Iranian nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief and other provisions.

The agreement was finalised in Vienna on 14 July 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), China, France, Russia, the U.K., U.S., plus Germany, together with the European Union.