Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have triggered the so-called snapback mechanism of the Vienna nuclear agreement in the dispute with Iran. The foreign ministers of the E3 countries informed the UN Security Council of this on Thursday in New York. If no agreement is reached with the regime in Tehran within 30 days, the UN sanctions, which were suspended in 2015, can be reinstated.
“We, the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, share the fundamental objective that Iran must never seek, acquire or develop nuclear weapons,” the E3 said in a statement. They negotiated the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) in the conviction “that it would make a decisive contribution to ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program.”.
The UN Security Council adopted the corresponding resolution 2231 on July 20, 2015. The treaty “was a major achievement for non-proliferation and thus strengthened world peace and international security.”.
Still in 2020: Commitment to a nuclear agreement
The US withdrew from the agreement on May 8, 2018. Nevertheless, in 2020 it attempted to trigger the snapback mechanism. After the 30-day deadline expired, the E3 stated on September 20, 2020: “We remain guided by the objective of upholding the authority and integrity of the UN Security Council. The E3 remain committed to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA in 2015. We have worked tirelessly to preserve the nuclear agreement and will continue to do so.”
The current statement reads: “Even after the United States withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018, and despite Iran suspending the implementation of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019 onwards, Germany, France and the United Kingdom (the ‘E3’) remained committed participants in the agreement.”
Violations observed throughout 2019
Since 2019, Iran has “exceeded the JCPOA limits with regard to enriched uranium, heavy water, and centrifuges.” It has also restricted the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) ability to carry out the required monitoring and verification measures. “These actions are contrary to Iran’s commitments under the JCPOA and have serious implications for Iran’s ability to progress toward the development of nuclear weapons.”
The foreign ministers point out that this was over five years ago. “Since then, we have made every conceivable effort to find a way out of the impasse. We have acted in good faith to preserve the JCPOA, in the honest hope of finding a way out of this impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue, preserving the agreement, and continuing to operate within its framework.”
In July 2025, the E3 presented an offer to extend Resolution 2231 and the snapback mechanism. In return, they demanded, among other things, a resumption of negotiations and compliance with Iran's obligations to the IAEA. These demands "have not yet been satisfactorily met by Iran."
The European ministers emphasized: "Today, Iran's non-compliance with the JCPOA is clear and deliberate." The regime has no civilian justification for its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. "Its nuclear program therefore continues to pose a clear threat to world peace and international security." The E3 intend to use the 30-day period "to remain in contact with Iran regarding our extension offer or any serious diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring that Iran resumes compliance with its obligations."
Following the decision, the German Foreign Office in Berlin warned against travel to Iran. It also urged German citizens in the Islamic Republic to leave the country as soon as possible for security reasons.
Iran: Illegal decision
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the E3's move. He announced an "appropriate response" to the decision, which he described as "illegal and unjustified." A senior official told Reuters that Iran would continue diplomatic relations with the E3 but would not "give in to the pressure.".
The measure was met with a positive response in the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Republican) welcomed the move, noting: "The E3 could have initiated the snapback at any time since 2019. Instead, they chose to first pursue intensive contact and dialogue – in order to provide Iran with a diplomatic way out of its strategy of nuclear escalation."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (New Hope) wrote on X that sanctions were "inevitable." He called the decision "an important step in the diplomatic campaign to counter the Iranian regime's nuclear ambitions.".
DIG: Overdue step
The German-Israeli Society (DIG) also reacted with satisfaction. In a statement, addressing German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), it wrote: “At the last minute! Thank you, Mr. Wadephul! This step is right, necessary, and long overdue.” It was high time that clear consequences followed Iranian violations of the agreement.
“The nuclear agreement was a failure,” added the DIG. “The only effective mechanism of the JCPOA, and the best thing about the nuclear deal, is the snapback mechanism. Otherwise, the deal has simply funneled money into Iran’s coffers for ten years to finance its nuclear program and uranium enrichment, its conventional armament with drones and missiles, and the ring of fire waged by its proxies against Israel.” Snapback makes it clear: “International law obligations apply – and their violation does not go unpunished.”
Germany and Europe must now take concrete measures to contain the dangers posed by the Iranian regime. "These include adding the Revolutionary Guard to the EU's list of terrorist organizations, closing regime-loyal institutions such as the Al-Mustafa Institute, and ending the activities of Iranian banks in Germany." Only a resolute stance can prevent "Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, continuing its terrorist activities in Europe unhindered, and further destabilizing the Middle East." (Israelnetz)
