France, Germany and UK warn Iran of possible sanctions snapback

France, Germany and the UK have told the United Nations they are prepared to reinstate sanctions on Iran unless it returns to talks over its nuclear programme, the Financial Times reported.

The foreign ministers of the three countries — known as the E3 — sent a letter to the U.N. on Tuesday warning they could trigger the “snapback” mechanism if Iran does not engage diplomatically before the end of August 2025, according to the FT, which said it had seen the document.

“We have made it clear that 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, E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism,” the ministers were quoted as writing.

The warning follows what the letter described as “serious, frank and detailed” discussions with Iran in Istanbul last month — the first direct talks since Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, and the governments of France, Germany and the UK did not respond to requests for comment.

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