The European parties to the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal are threatening Tehran with triggering a “snapback mechanism” that would reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. Tehran has warned it will withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty if the UK, France and Germany (the E3) attempt to reimpose sanctions.
The Financial Times reported viewing a letter from the E3 to the UN threatening to reimpose the snapback sanctions on Tuesday. “We have made it clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, [the E3] are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism,” it said.
The snapback mechanism was inserted into the Iran Nuclear Deal as a way to reimpose sanctions on Tehran if it attempted to weaponize its nuclear program. Under the agreement, UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic were lifted in exchange for Tehran agreeing to strict limits on its civilian nuclear program.
The international nuclear watchdog (IAEA) verified that Tehran was in compliance with the agreement when Trump unilaterally exited the pact and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
In response to the US economic war and Israeli attacks on its nuclear program, Tehran has broken the limits imposed by the Nuclear Deal, but has not attempted to develop a nuclear weapon.
American and Iranian officials engaged in several rounds of talks earlier this year aimed at establishing a new nuclear agreement. Those talks were scuttled when Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran in June. Trump joined Israel and ordered attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-Day War.
Following the war, Tehran has stated it will only engage in talks with Washington if it receives assurance that the US and Israel will not restart the war during the diplomatic process. Trump has threatened several times to restart the war against the Islamic Republic if Tehran does not agree to a new deal.
Tehran has engaged in direct talks with officials from the E3. However, the Iranian foreign minister explained that the discussions are pointless. “With the Europeans, there is no reason right now to negotiate because they cannot lift sanctions, they cannot do anything,” Abbas Araghchi said. “If they do snapback, that means that this is the end of the road for them.”
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that if snapback sanctions were reimposed, Iran would retaliate, including potentially by leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
