UK, France, Germany Move to Impose Iran Snapback Sanctions
France, Germany and the U.K. have begun the process to reimpose U.N. sanctions against Iran after accusing the country of failing to meet safeguards around its nuclear program (see 2508150010). The snapback sanctions, if implemented, would reimpose a host of U.N. restrictions that had been paused under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
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The three nations have officially notified the U.N. Security Council about Iran's "significant non-performance of its commitments" under the nuclear deal, they said in an Aug. 28 statement. The move allows the U.N. to reimpose the sanctions after 30 days.
If the security council "does not adopt within 30 days a resolution to continue the lifting of UNSC resolutions on Iran, six Security Council resolutions, including on sanctions, will be restored," they said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio applauded the move, saying the U.S. will "work with them and other Members of the UN Security Council to successfully complete the snapback of international sanctions and restrictions on Iran." He also said the U.S. remains open to negotiating with Iran.
"Snapback does not contradict our earnest readiness for diplomacy, it only enhances it," Rubio said. "I urge Iranian leaders to take the immediate steps necessary to ensure that their nation will never obtain a nuclear weapon; to walk the path of peace; and to, by extension, advance prosperity for the Iranian people."
Several U.S. lawmakers, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., welcomed the news.
“The triggering of these sanctions will keep the pressure on Iran and choke off the funds it uses to finance its terror network and build ballistic missiles,” Cotton said. “I also urge our European allies to see snapback sanctions into full implementation in 30 days.”
Risch urged the Security Council to reject Iran’s “continued threats and deceptions and ensure the full restoration of all UN sanctions on Iran.”