STORY
Britain, France and Germany have formally triggered the UN ‘snapback’ mechanism to end sanctions relief for Iran, accusing Tehran of “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments and setting a 30-day clock for the return of UN measures unless Iran changes course. The move was announced in New York by UK ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward on behalf of the E3.
In a joint statement, the E3 said Iran has “increasingly and deliberately” stopped implementing almost all of the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPoA) since 2019, amassed a stockpile of highly enriched uranium with “no credible civilian justification”, curtailed IAEA access and reduced cooperation required under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The trio stressed the step “does not mark the end of diplomacy” noting they had offered to delay snapback if Iran took specific steps.
Those steps include resuming negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement with the United States, complying with IAEA obligations, and addressing the stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Without movement from Tehran, the E3 say UN restrictions targeting nuclear proliferation will be reimposed automatically at the end of the 30-day period under Security Council Resolution 2231. The announcement follows an E3 letter to the UN Security Council on 28 August formally notifying members of the decision to trigger snapback, a veto-proof procedure that restores earlier UN sanctions unless the Council decides otherwise. The foreign ministers’ letter argues the legal threshold under Resolution 2231 has been met given Iran’s sustained non-compliance.
Context from the nuclear watchdog has grown more stark this year. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has repeatedly urged Iran to restore transparency and cooperate fully, warning the Agency cannot assure the programme is exclusively peaceful while access is restricted.