Overview

• Britain, France and Germany delivered a joint letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council warning they will trigger the snapback mechanism if Iran does not resume verifiable nuclear negotiations by August 31.
• The E3 contend they have “unambiguous legal grounds” under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 to restore arms, nuclear-related equipment and banking embargoes lifted in 2015 due to Iran’s breaches of uranium enrichment and stockpile limits.
• Tehran has neither replied to Europe’s offer of a limited extension for talks nor resumed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency since June strikes on its nuclear sites.
• Iranian parliamentarian Manouchehr Mottaki warned that reinstated UN sanctions could prompt Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or the JCPOA within 24 hours of a snapback notification.
• The JCPOA snapback window closes on October 18, meaning any activation must be submitted before then to automatically revive UN embargoes without a Security Council veto.