France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—known collectively as the E3—have informed the United Nations that they are prepared to reimpose sanctions on Iran if the country does not return to nuclear negotiations with the United States.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council, the three European powers said they are ready to trigger the so-called “snapback” mechanism. This mechanism would reinstate sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal in exchange for Tehran’s compliance with strict limits on its nuclear program.
The letter, signed by Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister; Johann Wadephul, German Foreign Minister; and David Lammy, UK Foreign Minister, emphasized that the E3 had offered Iran the chance to extend the snapback deadline. This extension would allow more time for talks while keeping the legal option to restore sanctions if necessary.
The ministers said they were legally justified in taking this step because Iran has failed to honor its obligations under the nuclear agreement since 2019, a year after the United States, under former President Donald Trump, withdrew from the deal.
Rising Tensions Following Israeli Attacks
The E3’s warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region. In June, Israel launched a 12-day military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. The strikes occurred just 48 hours before Iran and the United States were scheduled to hold the sixth round of nuclear talks, which had been conducted indirectly through Oman.
The Israeli operation disrupted negotiations and prompted Iran to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran also demanded assurances that it would not face future attacks during nuclear discussions, alongside calls for compensation for damages caused by the military strikes.
Iran, however, has expressed a willingness to resume talks under certain conditions. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, criticized the E3 for threatening snapback sanctions. He claimed that the European powers had no “legal or moral grounds” to act and warned that triggering sanctions would mark the end of their involvement in future nuclear negotiations. Araghchi also accused the E3 of failing to meet their obligations under the 2015 deal.
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Despite the warnings and criticism, the E3 stressed that a limited extension could allow for continued diplomatic engagement. They reiterated that they remain ready to negotiate with Iran and work toward a possible new nuclear agreement, while maintaining the ability to reimpose sanctions to prevent further nuclear proliferation.
Understanding the Snapback Mechanism
The “snapback” mechanism was created under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in 2015. It allows any participant of the nuclear deal to reinstate UN sanctions if Iran is found to have significantly violated the agreement. Once a participant state initiates the snapback, a 30-day period begins. If the Security Council does not vote to block the process within that timeframe, all previously lifted sanctions automatically return.
The E3 warned that if Iran does not take advantage of the extension, or fails to negotiate a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, the snapback process could be triggered immediately. The letter from the European foreign ministers highlighted that their goal is to prevent further nuclear escalation, while still leaving the door open for diplomacy.
This warning reflects the ongoing tension between Iran and the international community over its nuclear program. It comes after a series of attacks and failed negotiations, with both sides navigating complex political and security challenges. The E3’s move underscores the pressure on Iran to return to the negotiating table and resume talks with the United States, while signaling that the European powers are ready to act decisively to maintain international nuclear standards.