Europeans Launch UN Sanctions Process Against Iran Amid Rising Tensions
E3 nations trigger 30-day process to reimpose sanctions on Iran over nuclear program, stoking regional tensions.
PARIS: Britain, France, and Germany have initiated a 30-day process to reinstate United Nations sanctions on Iran in response to its disputed nuclear program.
This move is likely to exacerbate already heightened tensions following the June bombings by Israel and the United States on Iranian nuclear installations.
The three European powers have chosen to activate the so-called 'snapback mechanism' as a means to restore sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.
This decision comes after several rounds of talks with Iran failed to defer the implementation of this mechanism, which is set to be activated in mid-October.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that their decision does not signify an end to diplomatic efforts towards resolving the ongoing tensions.
In contrast, Germany's counterpart, Johann Wadephul, called on Iran to engage fully with the UN nuclear watchdog agency and enter direct negotiations with the United States over the next month.
In response to this move, a senior Iranian official condemned the decision as 'illegal and regrettable.' However, they maintained that the door remains open for diplomatic engagement.
This official emphasized that while diplomacy with Europe will continue, Iran will not concede under pressure.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene behind closed doors on Friday at the request of the E3 to discuss this development.
The actions taken by the E3 have been met with support from Israel, as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled it an 'important step' in countering Iran's nuclear ambitions.
However, these sanctions are expected to exacerbate the economic and political tensions within Iran, where anti-Western hard-liners advocate for defiance, while moderates push for diplomacy.
In light of this development, Russia and China have proposed a draft Security Council resolution that would extend the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran for an additional six months, urging all parties to resume negotiations immediately.
However, they have not yet called for a vote on this proposal.
This crossroads moment has been described by Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy as a choice between diplomacy and confrontation at the 'barrel of the gun.'
The looming prospect of renewed sanctions raises concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities, with experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stating that while they cannot guarantee the peaceful nature of Tehran's program, there is currently no credible evidence of a coordinated weapons project.
This move is likely to exacerbate already heightened tensions following the June bombings by Israel and the United States on Iranian nuclear installations.
The three European powers have chosen to activate the so-called 'snapback mechanism' as a means to restore sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.
This decision comes after several rounds of talks with Iran failed to defer the implementation of this mechanism, which is set to be activated in mid-October.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that their decision does not signify an end to diplomatic efforts towards resolving the ongoing tensions.
In contrast, Germany's counterpart, Johann Wadephul, called on Iran to engage fully with the UN nuclear watchdog agency and enter direct negotiations with the United States over the next month.
In response to this move, a senior Iranian official condemned the decision as 'illegal and regrettable.' However, they maintained that the door remains open for diplomatic engagement.
This official emphasized that while diplomacy with Europe will continue, Iran will not concede under pressure.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene behind closed doors on Friday at the request of the E3 to discuss this development.
The actions taken by the E3 have been met with support from Israel, as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled it an 'important step' in countering Iran's nuclear ambitions.
However, these sanctions are expected to exacerbate the economic and political tensions within Iran, where anti-Western hard-liners advocate for defiance, while moderates push for diplomacy.
In light of this development, Russia and China have proposed a draft Security Council resolution that would extend the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran for an additional six months, urging all parties to resume negotiations immediately.
However, they have not yet called for a vote on this proposal.
This crossroads moment has been described by Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy as a choice between diplomacy and confrontation at the 'barrel of the gun.'
The looming prospect of renewed sanctions raises concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities, with experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stating that while they cannot guarantee the peaceful nature of Tehran's program, there is currently no credible evidence of a coordinated weapons project.
