Iran warns of reply to E3 sanctions move

Iran will deliver "a proportionate and appropriate response" if France, Britain and Germany, collectively known as the E3, trigger the sanctions snapback mechanism, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned in Tehran.

The snapback mechanism is a clause in the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), that would allow the other parties to re-impose all international sanctions should Iran fail to comply with the agreement.

Denouncing the E3 threat as politically motivated and lacking legal and moral standing, Baghaei said Iran still considers itself a member of the nuclear deal, and Iran's reduced compliance resulted from "flagrant violations" by the United States and certain other signatories.

"The threat to use the snapback mechanism is purely a political act, which aligns with the U.S. confrontational stance towards Iran. Iran will undoubtedly respond accordingly," said the spokesman.

Baghaei ruled out resuming nuclear talks between Iran and the United States until "the effectiveness of diplomacy and the negotiation process" is assured.

Two days before the sixth round, scheduled to take place in Oman's capital city of Muscat on June 15, Israel launched major airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Iran responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel.

Following 12 days of war, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was achieved on June 24.

Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kosari said any closure of the Strait of Hormuz was still under review but no decision has yet been made.

"Military measures concerning the Strait of Hormuz have been completed, but no decision has yet been made regarding its (closure) and the matter is still under review," Kosari, a member of the national security committee in the Iranian parliament, was quoted as saying.