Overview

• The UK, France and Germany notified the UN Security Council that Iran is in significant non-performance of the 2015 deal, formally invoking the veto-proof snapback mechanism.
• The move starts a 30-day period in which the E3 say they could defer reimposition if Iran resumes full IAEA inspections and accounts for its enriched uranium stockpile.
• Iran condemned the decision as unlawful, warned of a harsh response, and signaled that cooperation with the IAEA could be curtailed or halted.
• IAEA activity has only partially resumed, with inspectors observing work at Bushehr as Director General Rafael Grossi warns access remains insufficient and rejects selective inspections.
• If sanctions return, restored measures would hit arms, banking, hydrocarbons and missile-related activities, and once reimposed they could only be lifted later with unanimous agreement of the Security Council’s permanent members.