Overview

• On August 13, E3 foreign ministers notified UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council they will reinstate sanctions under the snapback mechanism if Iran fails to resume nuclear talks by the end of August.
• They contend that UN Security Council resolution 2231 grants them clear and unambiguous legal authority to reimpose international sanctions.
• IAEA reports show Iran has enriched uranium to 60%—far above the 3.67% cap—and amassed a stockpile more than 40 times greater than pact limits while curtailing inspections.
• In late July, the E3 offered to extend the trigger deadline in exchange for resumed negotiations and full IAEA cooperation, but Tehran left the proposal unanswered.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has disputed the E3’s right to re-invoke the snapback mechanism, a claim the E3 describes as unfounded.