Tension escalates as the E3 prepares to invoke the "snapback" approach on sanctions against Iran, reflecting unresolved disputes over the country's nuclear ambitions.
E3 Allies Warn of Sanctions Reinstatement Amid Iran's Nuclear Talks Stalemate
E3 Allies Warn of Sanctions Reinstatement Amid Iran's Nuclear Talks Stalemate
The UK, France, and Germany caution that sanctions will be reinstated unless Iran resumes nuclear negotiations by the end of August.
In a significant diplomatic move, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—have indicated readiness to reimpose sanctions on Iran if the latter does not return to the negotiating table by the end of August. They communicated this message in a letter to the United Nations, emphasizing the option to trigger a "snapback" mechanism, which would reinstate previously lifted sanctions.
The E3 ministers highlighted their offer to extend the deadline for negotiations, asserting that Iran's lack of response is concerning. Iranian lawmaker Manouchehr Mottaki further escalated the situation by stating that Iran's parliament is poised to withdraw from the nuclear deal if new sanctions materialize.
Following initial discussions between E3 representatives and Iranian officials in Istanbul last month, the E3 reiterated their commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons—an assertion that Iran denies. Their letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed a clear ultimatum: if Iran fails to reach a diplomatic resolution by the newly proposed deadline, the E3 will proceed with reinstating sanctions.
Last month, Iran expressed its willingness to engage in further talks, but only if existing sanctions are lifted and its rights to a civilian nuclear program are recognized. The original sanctions on Iran's nuclear activities were lifted in 2015 when the country entered a deal with the E3, alongside the US, Russia, and China, agreeing to notable restrictions and allowing international inspections. However, the deal, which is set to expire in October, has been undermined since the US withdrew in 2018, leading to the reinstatement of American sanctions and Iran's subsequent breaches of the agreement.
In recent developments, the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reported that Iran is stockpiling uranium at levels dangerously close to those used for nuclear weapons. This accumulation has triggered heightened tensions, illustrated by retaliatory Israeli strikes against Iranian facilities and escalating military actions by the US. Despite the heightened stakes, communication from the E3 and Iranian representatives remains limited, with neither party commenting conclusively on the ongoing impasse.
