The UN sanctions on Iran will be restored via the so-called "snapback mechanism" if no nuclear deal is reached by end of August, the US, British, French, and German foreign ministers agreed in a Monday call, according to a report by Axios.
The Europeans now plan to engage with Iran in the coming days and weeks with the message that Iran can avoid the snapback sanctions if it takes steps to reassure the world about its nuclear program, the report said citing two informed sources.
The snapback mechanism is part of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. It allows any participant in the nuclear agreement to reimpose sanctions if Iran is deemed non-compliant. If no resolution to maintain sanctions relief is passed within 30 days, all previous UN measures return automatically.
The Trump administration supports activating snapback mechanism and sees it as leverage in the talks with Iran, the report added citing a US official.
The US official said Trump is highly frustrated that the Iranians haven't come back to the table yet, adding that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has made it clear to the Iranians that any future talks must be direct, rather than mediated by a third party, to avoid misunderstandings and expedite the process.
Earlier on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the E3 — France, Britain, and Germany — will activate the United Nations snapback mechanism against Iran by the end of August if no tangible progress is made on a nuclear deal by then.
