International tensions over Iran’s nuclear program escalated dramatically on Saturday as Tehran recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom for urgent consultations. The diplomatic move comes just hours before the scheduled reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, a process triggered by European powers.

The sanctions, known as the "snapback" mechanism, are set to take effect at 0000 GMT on Sunday after a 30-day process initiated by the E3 group—Germany, France, and the UK. The European nations accused Iran of failing to provide full cooperation and transparency with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a charge Tehran vehemently denies.

Efforts to find a diplomatic solution during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York failed to break the stalemate. The impending sanctions mark a significant blow to the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018.

In a clear signal of its displeasure, Iran’s foreign ministry announced it was recalling its top diplomats from the three European capitals. This step is widely seen as a protest against what Iran views as the E3's failure to uphold their commitments under the nuclear agreement and their alignment with U.S. pressure.

The diplomatic crisis unfolds against a backdrop of broader regional instability. At the UNGA, the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister met with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has been a vocal participant in regional diplomacy and has called for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the Hezbollah militant group and political party marked the somber first anniversary of the death of its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The event serves as a reminder of the group's significant influence in the region and its staunch opposition to Israel and Western powers, aligning it closely with Iran's strategic interests.