Britain, France and Germany move to snap back Iran sanctions

Britain, France and Germany on Thursday initiated a United Nations process to reinstate sanctions on Iran, saying Tehran has significantly violated its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal and triggering a 30 day window before suspended measures would automatically snap back into force. The three European powers, known collectively as the E3, notified the U.N. Security Council and said they would seek to reimpose sanctions unless Iran meets specific conditions to address its nuclear activities.

The E3 said Iran has exceeded limits on enriched uranium and restricted the International Atomic Energy Agency's ability to monitor its facilities, creating a clear threat to international peace and security. British U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward, reading a joint statement with her French and German counterparts, said the request to invoke the so called snapback was made after Tehran showed no sign of serious engagement. "Our asks were fair and realistic," she said, urging Iran to reconsider and to create space for a diplomatic solution.

The move begins a 30 day countdown after which the Security Council would have to adopt a resolution to continue keeping sanctions lifted. E3...