Iran Nuclear Talks Stuck in Deadlock, France, UK, and Germany Initiate Reinstatement of UN Sanctions Against Iran Procedure

Facing continued deadlock in the Iran nuclear talks, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany on the 28th fulfilled their previous threats by initiating the "snapback" mechanism against Tehran at the United Nations, which will reinstate international sanctions after 30 days. This is the first time the mechanism has been triggered since the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA) was signed.

According to AFP, the France, UK, and Germany, forming the 'E3' mechanism, stated in a letter to the UN Security Council that they have initiated the process of the 30-day rapid reinstatement of sanctions related to Iran's violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement. According to regulations, once this sanction mechanism is activated, a series of international sanctions that were suspended ten years ago will automatically be restored.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as "unfair and illegal." Russia's permanent representative to the UN also criticized the move as "without legal basis." Meanwhile, Israel called it "an important step in preventing Iran's nuclear program."

US Secretary of State Rubio said the US remains open to "direct dialogue" with Iran to seek a "peaceful and lasting solution."

Stagnation of Negotiations and Diplomatic Struggles

The Iran Nuclear Agreement was signed in 2015 by E3 (France, UK, Germany), Iran, the US, China, and Russia, originally aiming to limit Iran's nuclear program and exchange it for lifting international sanctions. However, in 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions, leading to a sharp deterioration of the situation.

France, the UK, and Germany had warned a few weeks earlier that if Iran did not fulfill its commitments, they would take action before the agreement's terms expired. Previously, in June, the US and Israel conducted an air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, further escalating tensions.

The foreign ministers of the three countries emphasized in a joint statement that they had proposed extending the UN Resolution 2231 and the "snapback" mechanism back in July, but required Iran to restart negotiations, comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification obligations, and provide a convincing response regarding the high-enriched uranium stockpile. So far, these conditions have not been met.

French Foreign Minister Barro stated on social media platform X: "Iran's nuclear advancement cannot continue." He also warned that about 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% are still missing, enough to make nine nuclear warheads.

However, Barro also emphasized that this move does not mean the end of diplomacy, and "the next 30 days remain a critical window for dialogue with Iran."

30-Day Countdown

A French diplomatic source said that Iran may choose to "intensify confrontation," but if Europe does not act, the Iran nuclear issue may be completely excluded from the UN framework.

German Foreign Minister Wadepohl stated that Europe expects Iran to "fully cooperate with the IAEA," "make a clear commitment to negotiate with the US," and provide specific information on the uranium stockpile.

UN Secretary-General Guterres called on all parties to seize the 30-day "opportunity window" to avoid the resumption of sanctions.

However, Tehran warned that this decision would "seriously damage existing cooperation with the IAEA." Scholar Fait from the Institute of International Relations (Ifri) pointed out: "Iran currently maintains an extreme position, refusing any new cooperation. If Iran does not abandon this stance, achieving a breakthrough in negotiations within 30 days is almost impossible."

According to the mechanism arrangement, the 30-day period will end during the "High-Level Week" of the UN General Assembly in late September, when dozens of world leaders will gather in New York, and the Iran nuclear issue may become one of the focuses of the summit.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841746895690823/

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