BREAKING NEWS: The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have just launched a 30-day process to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran due to its contentious nuclear program. This urgent move, confirmed earlier today, is set to escalate tensions following recent military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran.
The three European powers, collectively known as the E3, are acting quickly to activate the so-called “snapback mechanism” amid concerns that they would lose the opportunity to restore sanctions by mid-October. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that this decision does not signify the end of diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, German counterpart Johann Wadephul urged Iran to fully cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog and engage in direct talks with the US within the next month.
In response, a senior Iranian official denounced the E3’s actions as “illegal and regrettable,” vowing that Iran will not yield to pressure. “Diplomacy with Europe will continue,” the official stated, highlighting Iran’s determination to resist external demands. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi labeled the E3’s decision as “baseless and unlawful,” further complicating diplomatic relations.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene behind closed doors on Friday to discuss this snapback action against Iran. Recent diplomatic talks between Iran and the E3 have not yielded sufficient progress, prompting this decisive step. The E3’s move follows accusations that Iran has breached the 2015 nuclear accord, which was designed to prevent the development of Iranian nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting international sanctions.
This latest escalation comes just two months after Israel and the US targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, raising fears of a wider conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the E3’s action, reiterating that the United States is ready for direct engagement with Iran, provided there are guarantees against military strikes during negotiations.
The E3 has made it clear that they intend to use every diplomatic resource to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. They hope for Iran’s engagement by the end of September to alleviate concerns about its nuclear agenda, which would allow them to defer more concrete actions.
Iran has warned of a “harsh response” if sanctions are reinstated, with officials considering withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The E3 previously proposed extending the snapback period for up to six months to facilitate serious negotiations, contingent on Iran granting access to UN nuclear inspectors.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated the E3’s decision is an “important step” in the diplomatic campaign to counter Iranian nuclear ambitions. The UN’s formal process takes 30 days before sanctions impacting Iran’s financial, banking, energy, and defense sectors are reinstated.
The situation remains fluid, and developments are expected rapidly as diplomatic channels continue to evolve. Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
