France, UK, and Germany Threaten to Reimpose UN Sanctions on Iran by August

Kokcha News Agency – French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking ahead of a European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, stated that France, the UK, and Germany are prepared to trigger the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran by the end of August if nuclear talks fail to advance.

Barrot accused Iran of violating its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He emphasized that France and its partners are justified in reinstating global sanctions on Iran’s weapons, banking, and nuclear equipment, which were lifted a decade ago. “Unless Iran provides a clear, concrete, and verifiable commitment, we will proceed with this by the end of August,” Barrot said.

Palestine Conference in New York
Barrot also addressed Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, calling on Israel to repay its €2 billion debt to the Palestinian Authority and lift its financial blockade. He urged Israel to halt illegal settlement projects in the West Bank, which he described as a “deadly blow” to the two-state solution. Barrot stressed that the EU’s imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for violence and colonization in occupied territories is crucial for the bloc’s image.

He also announced that the “International Palestine Conference,” initially scheduled for June but postponed due to Israel’s attacks on Iran, will now take place from July 28 to 30 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The conference will focus on a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution.

US Tariff Threat
Barrot criticized the US administration’s threat to impose a 30% tariff on EU goods, calling it an “unfriendly act resembling blackmail” that does not reflect the privileged relationship between the US and the EU. He emphasized that the US economy is “vitally dependent” on the European economy.

Iran’s Response
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Bekayi warned that Iran would respond if the European parties to the JCPOA activate the snapback mechanism. Bekayi stated that if the European parties had fulfilled their commitments under the nuclear deal, Iran would not have reduced its obligations.

Ceasefire After 12-Day Conflict
Israel launched attacks on various Iranian cities, targeting nuclear and military facilities as well as civilian areas on June 13, during ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US. On June 22, the US openly supported Israel by attacking three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. In response, Iran targeted the US’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar with missile strikes on June 23. US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24, expressing a desire to resume nuclear talks with Tehran.