Europe Warns Iran: Nuclear Weapon Development “Not an Option”
Paris — France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have sent a firm message to Iran, telling the United Nations that the country must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, the three European powers, known as the E3, said they are “committed to using all diplomatic tools at our disposal” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot shared a copy of the letter on X, emphasizing the seriousness of the warning. “If Iran continues to violate its international obligations, France and its German and British partners will reimpose the global embargoes on arms, nuclear equipment, and banking restrictions that were lifted ten years ago,” Barrot wrote.
The letter also highlighted the possibility of using the so-called “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This mechanism allows any signatory to restore UN sanctions if Iran fails to meet its commitments.
The warning comes as tensions rise over Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog. This followed Israel’s 12-day military action in June, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, and a US bombing raid during the conflict.
The E3 ministers stressed that a diplomatic solution remains the preferred path but warned of consequences if Iran does not engage. “If Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, the E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism,” the letter said.
Under the 2015 deal, which included the United States, China, and Russia, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. The United States withdrew from the deal in 2018, but the European countries have remained committed.
The letter accuses Iran of breaching the accord by building up uranium stockpiles to more than 40 times the allowed limit. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy but stressed that they have “unambiguous legal grounds” to restore sanctions if no resolution is reached by the end of August 2025.
End of Cooperation
US-Iran talks over nuclear activities had already begun, but were disrupted by Israeli strikes in June. Even before these attacks, the international community had expressed concern about Iran restricting access to IAEA inspectors.
Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA following the strikes, though it recently indicated that the agency’s deputy chief is expected in Tehran to discuss a new agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously sent a letter to the UN claiming that European countries have no legal authority to reinstate sanctions. The European ministers dismissed this claim as “unfounded” and reaffirmed that, as JCPOA signatories, they are fully justified in using UN provisions to trigger the snapback mechanism.
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