France Warns Iran of Sanctions If Nuclear Deal Fails

UNITED NATIONS: France, Germany, and the UK are prepared to reinstate sanctions against Tehran if Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to European security, stated the French foreign minister at the United Nations on Monday.

“Iran has breached all the commitments it made,” Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters following a closed-door Security Council meeting on non-proliferation that he led. He expressed concern that the nation is “on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons.”

“There is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear dilemma. A diplomatic route exists, although it is a narrow one,” he added.

Barrot expressed optimism that ongoing discussions between Tehran and Washington could yield positive results. He noted that France, Germany, and the UK remain in “close contact” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the matter.

These high-level talks, marking a significant moment in years of tension between Washington and Tehran, aim for a new agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—something Tehran denies pursuing—while offering relief from sanctions.

US President Donald Trump withdrew from a prior multilateral agreement on Iran during his first term.

“It is clear that once the Iranian nuclear deal expires… if our interests in European security are not secured, we will not hesitate for a moment to reintroduce all the sanctions lifted a decade ago,” Barrot cautioned.

Recently, Rubio urged the three European nations to consider activating the “snapback” mechanism outlined in the 2015 agreement, which would automatically restore UN sanctions on Iran due to its non-compliance.

This option to activate the mechanism will lapse in October.

Rejoining the sanctions would have “devastating consequences for the country’s economy. This is not our desired outcome, and that is why I urge Iran to make the necessary decisions promptly to avoid a worsening situation,” Barrot explained.

Currently, Iran is enriching uranium at 60%, significantly exceeding the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 deal, yet still below the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi, appearing alongside Barrot, emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement with Iran. He remarked, “This is not just a matter of months or years; it could be just weeks until the world can come to an achievable solution, one that avoids the possibility of further military conflicts.”