The United Kingdom, France and Germany are expected to launch the process of reimposing U.N. sanctions on Iran as early as Thursday, though they hope Tehran will provide nuclear-related commitments within 30 days that could lead them to hold off on final action, four diplomats told Reuters.
The three European powers, known as the E3, met Iranian officials on Tuesday in a last attempt to revive nuclear diplomacy before their authority to restore sanctions under the 2015 accord expires in mid-October.
According to three European diplomats and one Western diplomat, the talks produced no substantial concessions from Tehran, though they still see room for further negotiations. The diplomats said the E3 had resolved to initiate the so-called snapback of U.N. sanctions, potentially beginning Thursday, citing Iran’s breaches of the 2015 deal designed to curb its ability to develop nuclear weapons.
Western governments argue that Iran’s nuclear advances exceed civilian requirements, a charge Tehran denies, insisting it is not seeking nuclear arms.
According to a U.S. State Department press release, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to discuss Iran. All reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon.
If launched, the U.N. process would run 30 days before sanctions are reinstated on Iran’s finance, banking, energy, and defense sectors.
"The real negotiations will start once the letter (to the U.N. Security Council) is submitted," one Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
A spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry said activating the snapback remained under consideration. Britain and France did not immediately comment. Tehran, for its part, has warned of a "harsh response" if sanctions return.
Inspectors Back in Iran
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported Wednesday that U.N. nuclear inspectors had returned to the country for the first time since Tehran halted cooperation following U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities in June.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi confirmed Tuesday that inspectors had been allowed in, though no agreement was reached on what access they would have.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told lawmakers that no deal had been concluded on resuming full cooperation with the agency, parliament news outlet ICANA reported.
The E3 has floated delaying the snapback for up to six months to enable negotiations if Iran restores full inspections, including verification of its stockpile of enriched uranium left unchecked since the June strikes, and enters talks with Washington.
Before the Israeli attacks on June 13, the IAEA reported that Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity—just below the 90% level for weapons-grade—and had enough material for six nuclear bombs if further refined. However, weaponizing would still require additional steps. The agency has said it cannot confirm Iran’s program is exclusively peaceful but has found no credible evidence of a coordinated weapons project.
Iran and the United States held several rounds of talks before June. One diplomat said Iran signaled on Tuesday it may be open to resuming discussions with Washington. An Iranian source stressed this would only happen "if Washington guarantees there will be no (military) strikes during the talks."
AFP
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