European powers to trigger “snapback” sanctions against Iran

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, the U.K., and the EU foreign policy chief have informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that they plan to activate the "snapback" sanctions mechanism against Iran on August 28, according to three sources with direct knowledge.

Thus, the "snapback" mechanism would automatically reinstate all UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The move is expected to increase economic pressure on Tehran and could provoke a retaliatory response from Iran.

Iranian officials have previously warned that triggering the "snapback" could prompt the country to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). The U.S. State Department declined to comment.

France, Germany, and the U.K. had given Iran until the end of August to take specific steps regarding its nuclear program to avoid the reimposition of UN sanctions.

The European powers sought Iranian commitments to resume negotiations with the U.S., allow full access to UN inspectors, and grant access to its 60% highly enriched uranium stockpile.

A meeting in Geneva on Tuesday between senior diplomats from Iran and the European powers ended without results, with the Iranians making no proposals. A source familiar with the Geneva talks said the Iranians "haven't put tangible, detailed deliverables on the table," effectively closing the door on extending the "snapback" deadline and clearing the way for sanctions to be reinstated.

Commenting on the decision, a European diplomat said, "The E3 leaders think that Iran has been for years in clear violation of its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, with no concrete steps taken to remedy that situation."

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told Iranian state television that if the Europeans trigger the "Snapback", Iran will retaliate, including suspension of cooperation with the IAEA.

The activation of the "snapback" process takes 30 days, and European officials aim to complete it before Russia assumes the UN Security Council presidency in October.

"Triggering the snapback process would not mean the end of diplomacy. The E3 remain open to engaging with Iran in the weeks until the UN sanctions come into effect," a European diplomat said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev