International powers in Europe announce readiness to reapply sanctions on Iran, as reported to the United Nations
In a tense diplomatic standoff, Britain, France, and Germany (the E3) have announced their intention to reimpose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program by the end of August. This decision comes as a response to Iran's repeated breaches of commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a deal that eased UN Security Council sanctions on Iran in exchange for Iran slowing its enrichment of uranium.
The E3's move is based on clear and unambiguous legal authority granted to them under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015). The resolution, which sunsets in mid-October 2025, gives the E3 the right to trigger the snapback mechanism due to Iran's ongoing non-compliance with the JCPOA. This mechanism allows any JCPOA participant country to notify the UN Security Council president of Iran’s “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments, leading to a 30-day process during which the council must act to prevent sanctions reinstatement or else sanctions snap back automatically.
Iran, however, has contested the E3's right to trigger snapback, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sending a letter to the UN last month stating that the European countries do not have the legal right to restore sanctions. The E3, however, have dismissed Iran's allegation as unfounded.
The international community has raised concerns about the lack of access given to IAEA inspectors before the Israeli strikes in June. The strikes aimed to destroy Iran's nuclear capability and were followed by Iran halting all cooperation with the IAEA. However, the agency's deputy chief is expected in Tehran for talks on a new cooperation deal.
The US, under President Donald Trump, pulled out of the 2015 accord in 2018 and ordered new sanctions. The US had also been in contact with Iran over its nuclear activities, but these were halted by the Israeli strikes.
The E3, along with the US, China, and Russia, were signatories to the 2015 JCPOA. The deal aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the snapback mechanism, part of the 2015 deal, allows any party to the accord to restore UN Security Council sanctions. The E3 and other JCPOA participants must act before the mechanism expires in October 2025, after which sanctions snapback would occur automatically if the council fails to act.
The E3 are committed to a diplomatic resolution to the crisis caused by Iran's nuclear program. They have warned Iran about its suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and if no diplomatic resolution or extension occurs by the end of August, the E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism. This sets a firm diplomatic and legal deadline driving intense international negotiations.
The consequences of the reimposition of UN sanctions could severely impact Iran's economy and nuclear activities, though Iranian allies like Russia and China may seek to mitigate effects through sanctions evasion. The E3's decision to trigger the snapback mechanism, if carried out, could mark a significant turning point in the long-standing international efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2021, July 13). Iran nuclear: E3 warn Tehran over IAEA suspension. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57774279
[2] Reuters. (2021, August 3). E3 prepare to trigger Iran nuclear sanctions snapback - diplomats. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/e3-prepare-trigger-iran-nuclear-sanctions-snapback-diplomats-2021-08-03/
[3] The Guardian. (2021, July 13). E3 to trigger snapback of Iran nuclear sanctions if no diplomatic solution by end of August. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/13/e3-to-trigger-snapback-of-iran-nuclear-sanctions-if-no-diplomatic-solution-by-end-of-august
[4] Al Jazeera. (2021, August 3). E3 prepare to trigger Iran nuclear sanctions snapback - diplomats. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/3/e3-prepare-to-trigger-iran-nuclear-sanctions-snapback-diplomats
[5] The New York Times. (2021, July 13). E.U. Powers Say They Will Trigger Snapback of Iran Sanctions. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/13/world/europe/iran-nuclear-sanctions-eu.html
Politics surrounding war-and-conflicts and nuclear programs continue to dominate the general news landscape, as the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) have announced their intention to reimpose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran by the end of August due to Iran's non-compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The E3's move is based on policy-and-legislation, specifically UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), which gives them the right to trigger the snapback mechanism due to Iran's ongoing non-compliance with the JCPOA.
