Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of the looming return of UN sanctions and called for psychological readiness among the public, as IRGC-linked Tasnim says Iran has reached an agreement in principle with Europe to resume nuclear talks.
In a bulletin published on Sunday, Sobhe Sadegh, the daily outlet of the IRGC’s political department, described the prospect of renewed UN sanctions as a multidimensional threat and said policymakers must focus on preparing the public and economic actors rather than relying on hopeful messaging.
“A change in the tone of policy—from absolute hope-building to psychological readiness—is essential,” the outlet said.
The daily also warned that activation of the UN snapback mechanism could carry severe legal, economic, and social consequences for Iran.
The comments come amid growing concern in Tehran that Britain, France, and Germany may move to trigger the snapback mechanism before the 2015 nuclear deal’s 10-year term expires in October.
Once activated, the mechanism would restore all UN sanctions on Iran without the possibility of veto from Russia or China.
Iran, E3 agree to hold talks soon
Meanwhile, a source quoted by the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency said Iran has reached an agreement in principle with the three European countries to hold negotiations, though discussions are ongoing about time and location.
“There is agreement on holding the negotiations, but consultations on where and when are ongoing,” the source said.
However, Sky News reported on Sunday that Iran and the European troika are set to hold talks next Sunday in Geneva.
Officials warn of retaliation
On the other hand, lawmakers from Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee repeated Tehran’s position that any effort to revive UN sanctions would prompt a response.
“Europeans have no right to consider reactivating snapback sanctions when they themselves failed to meet their JCPOA obligations,” said committee member Vahid Ahmadi in an interview with Didban Iran.
“The Islamic Republic has prepared responses and will implement corresponding actions.”
Tehran's preconditions for nuclear talks
Ahmadi listed three conditions for Iran’s return to the negotiating table: condemnation of recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran, recognition of war-related damages, and guarantees against future aggression.
“If the West expects Iran to come back to the negotiating table, it must first recognize and rectify the aggression committed against us,” Ahmadi added. “There must be international condemnation, a clear assessment of the damages, and credible guarantees that our sovereignty won’t be violated again.”
MP says snapback is 'psychological ploy'
Committee member Esmail Kowsari dismissed the snapback threat as a “psychological ploy,” though Sobhe Sadegh warned that failure to manage expectations could intensify inflation and trigger capital flight.
The outlet proposed measures including new taxes and restrictions on foreign transactions.
“If the Westerners are acting in good faith, they must first condemn the aggressions and crimes of the United States and the Zionist regime, and only then speak of negotiations. We have not walked away from the negotiating table and have acted based on logic and the law. Even now, if they intend to make threats, the Iranian nation is prepared,” he added.
"If the enemies move toward using force," Kowsari warned, “they will undoubtedly face a firm and severe response. We will make important decisions and will not allow the security and authority of the Iranian nation to be undermined.”
