Germany, France, and Britain have hinted at the prospect of lifting sanctions on Iran in order to prevent it from advancing its nuclear program.
These three nations, referred to as the E3, state in a letter to the UN Security Council obtained by AFP on Thursday that they “remain committed to a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue.”
“We reiterate our determination to use all diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, including using snapback if necessary,” they added.
The phrase refers to a provision in a historic 2015 agreement on Iran’s nuclear program that permits signatories to reinstate sanctions that had been loosened.
In that agreement, sanctions were lifted in exchange for restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran signed it, while the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China, and Russia signed it as well.
However, US President Donald Trump reimposed US sanctions on Iran and withdrew the US from the accord in 2018.
Iran has responded by raising its uranium enriched production to 60%, which is close to the 90% required to produce a nuclear weapon.
“We are rapidly approaching a critical juncture on UNSCR 2231 next year. Iran must deescalate its nuclear program to create the political environment conducive to meaningful progress and a negotiated solution,” the European letter said.
The resolution, which expires in October 2025, ten years after the pact’s implementation, supports the 2015 agreement with Iran.
Next week, the Security Council is expected to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue.
Iran and E3 representatives met in Geneva last month and decided to continue their conversation.
Iran has continuously rejected any desire to develop weapons capabilities and asserts its sovereignty to nuclear energy for peaceful uses.
