Britain, France and Germany are likely to trigger United Nations sanctions on Iran on Thursday over its nuclear programme according to sources, while giving Tehran 30 days to make commitments. Inspectors have returned for the first time since June, as talks have yet to yield concrete agreements.

The trio, known as the E3, met Iran on Tuesday in an effort to revive diplomacy over the nuclear programme before they lose the ability in mid-October to restore sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under a 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

According to three European diplomats and one Western official, Tuesday’s discussions did not yield sufficient tangible commitments from Iran, though officials said there remained scope for further talks in the coming weeks.

The E3 have reportedly decided to trigger the so-called snapback of UN sanctions, potentially as early as Thursday, citing alleged violations of the 2015 deal aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The United States and its allies argue that Iran’s nuclear activities exceed civilian needs, while Tehran denies seeking nuclear arms.

The UN process takes 30 days before sanctions targeting Iran’s financial, banking, hydrocarbons and defence sectors are restored.

“The real negotiations will start once the letter [to the U.N. Security Council] is submitted,” a Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A German foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that triggering the snapback remains an option for the E3.

British and French officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tehran has warned of a “harsh response” should sanctions be reinstated.

Nuclear inspectors return to Iran

UN nuclear inspectors have returned to Iran for the first time since Tehran suspended cooperation following Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites in June, Iranian state media reported Wednesday.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said inspectors were allowed into the country, though no agreement has been reached on the scope of their work or access to nuclear facilities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told lawmakers that Tehran had not yet agreed on full cooperation with the watchdog, according to Iran's parliament news agency ICANA.

The E3 have offered to delay the snapback for up to six months to allow serious negotiations if Iran resumes full UN inspections and engages in talks with the U.S. Inspections would also aim to account for Iran’s large stock of enriched uranium, which has not been verified since the June strikes.

Iran has enriched uranium to 60% fissile purity, close to weapons-grade levels, and had sufficient material for six nuclear weapons before the Israeli strikes on 13 June, according to the IAEA. Producing an actual weapon would take longer, and the IAEA has said while it cannot confirm Tehran’s nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, there is no credible evidence of a coordinated weapons project.

Several rounds of talks were held between Iran and the United States before June. A diplomat said Iran showed signs of readiness to resume negotiations with Washington during Tuesday’s meeting with the E3, though an Iranian source said talks would only proceed if the U.S. guarantees no military strikes occur during negotiations.

Snapback

The “snapback” is a UN process that allows the automatic restoration of sanctions previously lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran if the country is found in violation. Once triggered, it gives the Security Council 30 days before sanctions on Iran’s financial, banking, energy, and defence sectors are reinstated.

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