UK, France and Germany move to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran

"The UK, France and Germany have begun the process of restoring major UN sanctions on Iran - lifted under a 2015 deal - as tensions once again escalate over Iran's nuclear programme. The move will trigger a so-called snapback mechanism, which could result in the return of sanctions in 30 days. The three countries, participants in the 2015 deal, warned two weeks ago that they were ready to do this unless Iran agreed to a "diplomatic solution" by the end of August."

"Talks between Iran and the US over its nuclear programme have not resumed since June when the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites and Iran barred UN-backed inspectors from accessing its facilities. Years-long crippling economic sanctions were lifted in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme under the UN-backed deal between Iran and the US, UK, France, Germany, China and the EU. But the deal unravelled after Donald Trump pulled the US out and reimposed nuclear-related sanctions in 2018 during his first term."

UK, France and Germany began restoring major UN sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, activating a snapback mechanism that could reinstate sanctions within 30 days. The three countries warned they would proceed unless Iran agreed to a diplomatic solution by the end of August. Talks between Iran and the US have not resumed since June, when US strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites and Iran barred UN-backed inspectors from facilities. The 2015 deal originally lifted long-standing economic sanctions in exchange for nuclear curbs. The deal unraveled after the US withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, and Iran subsequently increased nuclear activity. Western powers and the IAEA remain unconvinced Iran's programme is purely peaceful, while Iran insists its programme is civilian and not aimed at weapons.

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