The announcement came amid escalating tensions between Iran and three European countries (E3) ahead of the key meeting between the two sides scheduled for July 25 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The E3 group warned that if Iran does not make specific progress on its nuclear program before the end of August, it will activate a "snapback" mechanism.
This mechanism is included in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015. Accordingly, countries in the P5+1 group (including the US, Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany) can request to restore UN sanctions if Iran is suspected of violating the agreement.
Responding to warnings from group E3, Mr. Gharibabadi said Iran rejected the sanctions mechanism, saying that this action had no legal basis. However, he affirmed that Tehran is still open to dialogue to control the situation.
He also stressed that European countries cannot accuse Iran of violating the JCPOA while they have failed to fully implement their commitments after the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that the country will not abandon its uranium enrichment program. He emphasized that uranium enrichment is a scientific achievement and "national pride". He also affirmed that Iran is ready to prove its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, not for the development of weapons.
Araghchi also warned that if sanctions are reimposed, Europe's intermediary role in Iran's nuclear dossier will be eliminated. He revealed that Iran is considering the possibility of resuming negotiations with the US, but only limiting them to the nuclear issue and lifting sanctions.
