France is prepared to swiftly reinstate United Nations sanctions on Iran if negotiations regarding its nuclear program fail, as stated by its foreign minister during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday. The E3 nations—France, Britain, and Germany—are signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, which is set to expire in October, and possess the authority to activate the snapback mechanism for sanctions at the Security Council.
Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that if European security interests are not assured after the deal’s expiration, France will not hesitate to reinstate all sanctions lifted a decade ago. Meanwhile, Iran and the United States, which withdrew from the 2015 agreement and imposed its own sanctions, are engaged in discussions regarding the long-standing conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about securing a new agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, despite Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes.
Diplomats indicate that the E3 nations are considering initiating the snapback process by August instead of June if a significant agreement is not reached by that time, with the deadline set for October 18. Barrot warned that reinstating these sanctions would severely restrict Iran’s access to technology, investment, and the European market, leading to catastrophic consequences for its economy. He urged Iran to make the necessary decisions to avert such a scenario.
Additionally, Iran has suggested a meeting with the E3, potentially in Rome this Friday, contingent on the resumption of talks with the United States, although the E3 has yet to respond.
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