European powers ready to reimpose Iran sanctions over nuclear fears

France, alongside Germany and the United Kingdom, has issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating it will not hesitate to reimpose sanctions if Iran's nuclear program is deemed to threaten European security.

The statement was made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Monday following a closed-door United Nations Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation, Caliber.Az reports via Arab media.

“Iran has crossed all the boundaries it had committed to respect,” Barrot told reporters. “The country is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons.” The minister emphasized the urgency of addressing Iran's nuclear activities through diplomacy. “There is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear problem. There is a diplomatic path to achieve it, but it is a narrow road,” he added.

Barrot expressed hope that ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington would yield progress. He noted that France, Germany, and the UK remain in “close contact” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the matter. The talks represent the highest-level engagement between the two adversaries in years and aim to reach a new agreement to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief — a goal Tehran continues to deny as necessary, asserting its program is for peaceful purposes.

The 2015 nuclear accord, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was abandoned by former US President Donald Trump during his first term. Since then, tensions have escalated, with both the United States and Israel repeatedly threatening Iran with military strikes.

“It goes without saying that upon the expiration of the Iranian nuclear deal... if European security interests are not guaranteed, we will not hesitate for a single second to reapply all the sanctions that were lifted 10 years ago,” Barrot warned.

His comments come amid discussions about whether to invoke the "snapback" mechanism, a provision in the 2015 agreement allowing for the automatic reimposition of UN sanctions should Iran be found in violation. US Secretary of State Rubio recently called on the European powers to consider this step, noting the option expires in October.

Barrot cautioned against renewed sanctions, stressing their potential economic impact on Iran. “This is not what we want, and that is why I solemnly call on Iran to take the necessary decisions today to avoid the worst.”

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 per cent, well above the 3.67 per cent limit established under the JCPOA, though still below the 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade material.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi, speaking alongside Barrot, underscored the urgency of diplomacy. “It’s not a matter of months or years, it’s perhaps a matter of weeks where the world can really come to something that is doable, is feasible, and above all, avoids the spectrum of more military conflicts,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva