On July 17, 2025, France, Britain, and Germany, collectively known as the E3, urged Iran to resume nuclear diplomacy immediately. They warned that without concrete progress toward a verifiable and lasting nuclear agreement by the end of summer, they would activate the "snapback" mechanism to reinstate U.N. sanctions on Iran. This ultimatum comes ahead of the expiration of a key UN Security Council resolution on October 18, which would allow for the re-imposition of sanctions within about 30 days if Iran is found in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Despite Iran's stated openness to diplomacy, the departure of U.N. atomic inspectors and the lack of progress on U.S.-Iran negotiations make the likelihood of a new deal by late August appear slim. European diplomats are hoping to align with the U.S. to potentially restart talks but acknowledge the difficulties of achieving a comprehensive agreement quickly without on-the-ground inspections.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the U.S. of derailing nuclear diplomacy and called on European countries to abandon their "worn-out policies of threats and pressure." He emphasized that any new round of talks is only possible when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial nuclear deal.
The resumption of negotiations comes after a series of escalations, including Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-June. These actions have further complicated the diplomatic landscape, making the path to a renewed agreement more challenging.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.