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France, UK, and Germany Threaten Return of Sanctions If Iran Nuclear Deal Talks Stall
France, UK, and Germany warn Iran: Comply with nuclear deal or face snapback sanctions by end of August. Tehran calls it the "end" of EU mediation. China backs Iran's sovereignty.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-16
France, UK, and Germany Threaten Return of Sanctions If Iran Nuclear Deal Talks Stall

France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have warned that harsh UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated by the end of August if there is no substantial progress in reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that without a “firm, tangible and verifiable” commitment from Tehran, European powers are prepared to reimpose global embargoes on arms, banking, and nuclear-related equipment.

“France and its partners are justified in reapplying global embargoes that were lifted 10 years ago,” said Barrot ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting.

This marks a critical move under the “snapback” provision of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which allows for the automatic return of UN sanctions if Iran fails to meet its obligations.

🔹 Mounting Diplomatic Pressure

The urgency comes amid growing instability in the region following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian territory in June. In their aftermath, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), complicating nuclear monitoring efforts.

Talks between the UK, France, Germany, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are ongoing, with the aim of forming a unified response. According to US officials, diplomatic coordination intensified this week with UN ambassadors meeting in New York to prepare for the sanctions snapback.

Iran has yet to issue a formal reply, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a return to UN sanctions would eliminate Europe’s role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington.

“It will end Europe’s credibility in the Iranian nuclear issue,” he said.

🔹 Tehran Pushes Back, Demands Guarantees

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme remains strictly civilian, while calling for firm US guarantees against future military aggression before resuming any talks.

“The Israeli and American strikes have made it more difficult and complicated to achieve a solution,” Araghchi noted.

Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has barred nuclear negotiations unless “certain conditions” are met, though no specifics were disclosed.

🔹 China’s Support for Iran

Amid growing international pressure, China has reiterated support for Iran’s sovereignty. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a call with Araghchi, condemned “power politics and bullying,” pledging continued cooperation.

“We respect Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and recognize its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons,” said Wang, according to a statement from Beijing.

🔹 Background

The JCPOA, signed in 2015, offered Iran economic relief in exchange for strict limitations on its nuclear programme. However, in 2018, then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement, reimposing sanctions and derailing the deal.

With a resurgence of hardline postures on both sides—and the latest military confrontations—prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough appear increasingly tenuous.

 
Tagged:

NuclearTalks

JCPOA

MiddleEastCrisis

IranDeal

SanctionsReturn
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