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Britain, France, and Germany have informed the United Nations of their readiness to reinstate UN-imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities if a diplomatic resolution isn’t reached by the end of August, according to a joint letter obtained by AFP. The letter, addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, states that these countries are “dedicated to deploying all diplomatic options to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon” unless Iran meets the specified deadline.
The European powers threaten to activate the “snapback mechanism” outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which previously relaxed UN sanctions. This mechanism allows any signatory to restore sanctions if Iran breaches terms of the agreement, which is set to expire this October. The trio has intensified their warnings regarding Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran’s nuclear oversight body.
These warnings follow Israel’s 12-day military campaign against Iran in June, partly aimed at crippling its nuclear program, during which the United States also conducted a bombing raid. The European countries have emphasized that if Iran refrains from a diplomatic solution before the August deadline or declines to extend negotiations, they are prepared to trigger the snapback process.
All three nations were signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which included the U.S., China, and Russia, offering a mix of incentives and pressures aimed at curbing Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts necessary for nuclear weapons development. The U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump, reimposing sanctions, but the European countries remain committed to upholding the original deal.
The letter also notes Iran’s continued breach of the JCPOA—most notably its uranium stockpile exceeding the agreed limit by more than 40 times—and their intention to seek a diplomatic resolution. However, they are prepared to declare Iran’s non-compliance and activate the snapback if no satisfactory agreement is reached by the deadline.
Iran maintains that European countries lack the legal authority to restore sanctions, a claim dismissed by the European ministers as unfounded. Meanwhile, Iran has halted cooperation with the IAEA following recent Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites but has indicated that talks with the agency may resume soon, with Iran’s foreign minister endorsing ongoing discussions to establish a new cooperation framework.
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