Britain, France and Germany formally launched a 30-day process Thursday to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran, citing Tehran’s violations of the 2015 nuclear accord and failure to provide credible commitments during recent talks. The move invokes the so-called “snapback” mechanism, a provision of the deal that allows participants to restore sanctions without a Security Council vote.
The United States has welcomed the snapback.
“At the same time, the United States remains available for direct engagement with Iran – in furtherance of a peaceful, enduring resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the move as “unjustified” and “illegal,” in a telephone conversation with the foreign ministers of the E3 countries following the decision, Iranian media reported.
Why It Matters
Tehran has vowed a response if the mechanism is invoked, including threats to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose access was suspended following Israeli and U.S. attacks in June.
There are already concerns over unmonitored activity and alarming enrichment levels, which the U.S. and allies say must be deterred to prevent Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, though Tehran denies such intentions.
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
What To Know
The decision by the three countries, also known as E3, follows months of stalled negotiations and heightened tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes. European diplomats said Iran’s refusal to resume full inspections and account for its enriched uranium stockpile left them no choice but to act before their legal authority to trigger the mechanism.
The snapback mechanism falls under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is set to expire in October and from which U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
“These actions contravene Iran’s commitments set out in the JCPoA and have serious implications on the capacity of Iran to progress toward developing a nuclear weapon,” the E3 said in a joint statement.
Iran has claimed sovereignty and its right to enrich uranium, a key dispute that was also at the heart of this year’s negotiations with the U.S. before the military conflict, saying its nuclear program cannot be destroyed by force.
What People Are Saying
Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the U.K. on the initiation of the snapback process, as published by the British government’s website: “Since 2019, Iran has exceeded JCPoA limits on enriched uranium, heavy water, and centrifuges, restricted the IAEA’s ability to conduct JCPoA verification and monitoring activities, and has abandoned the implementation and the ratification process of the Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.”
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) wrote, citing Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: “Araghchi described the move by the three European countries as unjustified, illegal, and lacking any legal foundation. He further emphasized Iran’s firm commitment to defending its legitimate rights under international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a press release: “Snapback does not contradict our earnest readiness for diplomacy, it only enhances it. I urge Iranian leaders to take the immediate steps necessary to ensure that their nation will never obtain a nuclear weapon; to walk the path of peace; and to, by extension, advance prosperity for the Iranian people.”
What Happens Next
The E3 stated that they will utilize the 30-day period to engage with Iran diplomatically before snapback sanctions are automatically reinstated, while the U.S. announced that it will coordinate with E3 allies and U.N. Security Council members to implement the snapback of Iran sanctions.
Update 8/28/25, 12:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
