Europe’s leading three nations, the U.K., France, and Germany (E3), initiated proceedings on Thursday to reimpose extensive sanctions on Iran due to its “significant non-compliance” with global nuclear agreements.
At 9 AM EST, the E3 submitted a letter to Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba of Panama, who serves as the president of the United Nations Security Council, informing him of their intent to activate the snapback sanctions mechanism. This mechanism is enshrined in the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and Digital confirmed this action prior to its occurrence on Thursday.
The letter, obtained by Digital, stated: “We, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, share the fundamental objective that Iran shall never seek, acquire or develop a nuclear weapon.” It added, “We will continue to strive to diplomatically resolve the issue of Iran’s significant non-performance.”
The letter concluded by noting that sanctions “will be restored” unless the U.N. Security Council unanimously decides otherwise.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded the move as “welcome,” asserting, “Snapback does not contradict our earnest readiness for diplomacy, it only enhances it.”
He further urged, “I call upon 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.”
This action follows earlier warnings from European leaders and years of calls from the U.S., dating back to the first Trump administration in 2018, which flagged that Tehran was in violation of nuclear agreements under the JCPOA – though Iran’s documented non-compliance did not commence until 2019, according to findings by international nuclear watchdogs.
According to a U.K. official on Thursday, the decision to enforce snapback sanctions, which are expected to have severe repercussions for Iran’s already struggling economy, was not a decision made “lightly.”
The official confirmed that “very intense diplomacy” has occurred over the last “12-months, 6-months, 6-weeks” that ultimately led to this decision. This included three major factors: Iran’s operating of advanced centrifuges and its refusal to adhere to international inspection regulations – all of which are dictated under the JCPOA.
The official confirmed that in May, Iran was found to possess approximately 20,000 pounds of enriched uranium, including 900 pounds of near-weapons grade highly enriched uranium (HEU) – an amount 45 times higher than the JCPOA limit of under 660 pounds of enriched uranium.
“Iran is the only non-nuclear weapons state producing highly enriched uranium,” the official stated, adding that these stockpiles remain unaccounted for.
Thursday’s actions mean that by the end of the 30-day period, all 15 members of the Security Council, which includes , could be legally bound to reimpose sanctions on Iran.
However, while speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, the head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said there is “still time” for Iran to prevent the sanctions from taking hold.
“Iran will have to comply,” stated IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. “I think there is a possibility. I’m not naively optimistic, but at the same time, there is no reason why we should not [have] a good outcome.”
The E3 and the U.S. have made clear that Tehran needs to take specific steps to avoid snapback sanctions, including giving the IAEA full access to all , engaging in direct negotiations with Washington, and accounting for roughly 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium (HEU).
But Grossi also noted that it would be “almost impossible” for Iran to achieve compliance with the JCPOA due to too many technical advancements.
Questions regarding the location of the HEU, estimated to be sufficient for 10 nuclear warheads, intensified after the U.S. conducted direct strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in June. Reports suggested that in the days leading up to the strikes, Iran may have moved and hidden some of its uranium based on satellite imagery showing convoys leaving the Fordow and Isfahan .
Yet, on Wednesday, Grossi countered these concerns, stating the IAEA had no evidence that the uranium has been moved to a secret location.
Though the stockpile of HEU is still not officially accounted for as the IAEA has not been granted access to , Grossi said he anticipated that access would come shortly, as inspectors on Wednesday visited the Bushehr nuclear power plant after being re-granted access in Iran.
When asked by reporters whether Iran was taking immediate action to begin meeting the E3 demands and avoid sanctions, Grossi unequivocally stated, “point blank… no.”
“Our work hasn’t started. We are not yet where I would like us to be – I will not hide this,” he remarked. “But at the same time, I am a diplomat, I am always working toward peace.”
Iran has if the sanctions are implemented, though how it will do so remains unclear.
Tehran has strengthened its ties in recent years with powerful allies such as Russia and China, both of whom have rejected calls for snapback sanctions.
However, even though sit on the U.N. Security Council with veto powers, they will not be able to unilaterally stop the sanctions from going through.
In an unprecedented move in 2015, the sanctions mechanism was structured in a way that reversed standard council procedure. Traditionally, this would require all five permanent members to approve any action, meaning just one veto could block it.
In the case of snapback sanctions on Iran, every permanent member, which includes the U.S., France, U.K., China, and Russia, must veto the push to reimpose sanctions.
This means that, despite opposition from Russia and China, they cannot block the sanctions, unlike their increasing tendency to do so with other Security Council actions in recent years – leading to what some have argued is a paralyzed state in the U.N.’s highest body.