France, Germany, and the UK Issue Ultimatum, Warn of "Snapback" Sanctions if Access Denied

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3) have formally warned Iran that they will reinstate United Nations sanctions unless Tehran allows International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors access to its disputed nuclear facilities within two weeks.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council, the E3 foreign ministers declared their intent to trigger the "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which would restore sanctions lifted under the nuclear deal.

The ministers stated that Iran must resolve the standoff diplomatically by the end of August or face consequences. "We have made clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before August 31, 2025, the E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism," the letter read, as reported by AFP and the Financial Times.

Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons but has restricted IAEA access since 2018, when the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA under former President Donald Trump. Tensions escalated further after Israeli and U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, prompting Tehran to bar inspectors entirely.

In response to the E3’s warning, former Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, now a parliamentarian, threatened that Iran could withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if sanctions are reimposed.

The E3 emphasized their commitment to a diplomatic resolution but warned that Iran’s refusal to cooperate leaves them no choice. "We are equally ready, and have unambiguous legal grounds, to notify Iran’s significant non-performance of JCPOA commitments," the letter stated.

The warning follows high-level talks in Istanbul last month, described as "serious, frank, and detailed." Meanwhile, IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi is expected to visit Iran soon to negotiate a new cooperation deal.

Iran argues that JCPOA signatories have no right to reimpose sanctions, a claim dismissed by the E3 as "unfounded." The European ministers countered that UN resolutions clearly permit sanctions to be reinstated if Iran violates the agreement.

With the JCPOA set to expire in October, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomacy prevails or a new wave of sanctions is unleashed.

Sources: AFP, Financial Times, Iranian state media