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Britain, France, and Germany have initiated a 30-day process to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program. This move, announced in a letter sent to the UN Security Council and viewed by Reuters, is expected to heighten tensions following recent Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
The three countries, collectively known as the E3, stated that they are activating the snapback mechanism before mid-October, which is when they will lose the authority to reinstate sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Despite negotiations aimed at postponing this trigger—especially after the findings of breaches and Iran’s enrichment activities—the discussions in Geneva this week didn’t produce sufficiently concrete commitments from Iran.
The E3—whose ministers informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of this decision—expressed hope that Iran would engage by late September and provide assurances concerning its nuclear activities, which might persuade them to delay further action. They emphasized their unwavering commitment to diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, stating that the activation of the snapback process is a part of this overarching goal.
In response, a senior Iranian official described the move to restore UN sanctions as “illegal and regrettable,” criticizing it as a setback for diplomacy and indicating that Iran is reviewing options, including potential withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran’s government is divided on how to respond, with hardliners advocating resistance and confrontation, while moderates favor continued diplomatic engagement.
Iran’s technical activities have advanced, with uranium enrichment reaching up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels. The country has enough material enriched to potentially produce six nuclear weapons if further refined. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that while they cannot guarantee the entire program is peaceful, there is no credible evidence linking Iran’s activities to a coordinated weapons project. Western nations argue that Iran’s nuclear pursuits surpass civilian needs, a claim Iran dismisses.
The 30-day period for restoring sanctions covers critical sectors like finance, banking, oil, and defense, heightening frustration within Iran amid economic struggles and political disagreements. The looming sanctions are seen as further isolating the Islamic Republic, with some officials in Tehran facing internal pressures to resist or comply.
The international community remains watchful as Iran continues enrichment activities and balances its internal debates between defiance and diplomacy, with the situation poised to influence regional and global security dynamics.
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