Britain, France, and Germany have formally notified the United Nations that they are prepared to reimpose UN Security Council sanctions on Iran’s nuclear programme if a diplomatic settlement is not reached by the end of August.
The joint letter, obtained by AFP and addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, underscores the E3’s determination to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon and their readiness to act under the “snapback mechanism” in the 2015 nuclear accord.
This mechanism, part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that expires in October, allows any signatory to restore sanctions if Iran is found in significant breach of its commitments.
The European ministers Jean-Noel Barrot of France, David Lammy of Britain, and Johann Wadephul of Germany warned that Iran’s growing uranium stockpile, reportedly exceeding the agreed limit by more than fortyfold, constitutes a clear violation. They stressed that unless Tehran complies or accepts an extension, sanctions will be reinstated.
The E3 also voiced concern over Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a move that followed a 12-day conflict in June involving Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and a separate US bombing raid. The strikes, aimed partly at undermining Iran’s nuclear capabilities, halted ongoing contacts between the United States and Tehran.
Despite the tension, Iran has invited the IAEA’s deputy chief to Tehran for talks on a new cooperation framework. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has countered the European stance, claiming the E3 lack legal grounds to restore sanctions. The European ministers dismissed this as baseless, asserting their rights as JCPOA signatories to invoke relevant UN provisions to prohibit uranium enrichment and reimpose sanctions.
The letter reaffirms the E3’s stated preference for a negotiated resolution but leaves no ambiguity about their willingness to act if progress is not achieved by the end of August 2025.
What you should know
The E3’s ultimatum marks one of the strongest warnings to Iran since the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under President Donald Trump.
The looming deadline adds urgency to diplomatic talks, with potential snapback sanctions set to reinstate all UN restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities.
