Britain, France, Germany Warn UN of Iran Sanctions Snapback by August End

Britain, France, and Germany have jointly warned the United Nations that they are prepared to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran's nuclear program if no diplomatic breakthrough is reached by the end of August 2025. These European powers, known as the E3, emphasize their commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and threaten to trigger the "snapback mechanism" stipulated in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which allows any signatory to restore sanctions if Iran violates the deal. The warning follows escalating tensions after a 12-day conflict in June involving Israel and Iran, during which Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites and the US conducted separate airstrikes. Iran has since suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, raising further concerns. The E3 accuse Iran of multiple breaches, including stockpiling uranium far beyond JCPOA limits, and reject Tehran's claim that the Europeans lack legal authority to reinstate UN sanctions. Although the United States, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, the European countries remain committed to the accord and its enforcement mechanisms.