France, the United Kingdom and Germany (E3) could begin the process of reimposing United Nations sanctions against Iran – in connection with its nuclear programme – as early as this Thursday: this is what four diplomats were quoted by Reuters as saying on Wednesday 27 August (see EUROPE 13688/3). Should E3 decide to reinstate the sanctions, 30 days would be needed in order for them to be reapplied.
On Tuesday, the E3 and Iran held talks with the aim of reviving diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear programme, but Iran’s commitments were not sufficient, according to the Europeans.
According to the diplomats quoted, the Europeans could refrain from using the ‘snapback’ mechanism in the immediate future if Tehran allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume inspections of its nuclear sites and agreed to resume dialogue with the United States. On Wednesday, IAEA inspectors visited Iran for the first time since the country decided to suspend its cooperation with the Agency in July.
At the end of the meeting on Tuesday, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who took part in the discussions, called on the Europeans and the United Nations Security Council to “make the right choice and give diplomacy the time and space it needs”. According to the Iranians, contact with the Europeans will continue in the “coming days”.
On the same day, Russia proposed to the Security Council that the deadline for activating the mechanism for reinstating the sanctions be extended by six months to 18 April 2026, instead of 18 October 2025. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)