European powers are preparing to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran by the end of September after stalled talks with Tehran failed to produce progress, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—triggered a 30-day “snapback mechanism” at the end of August to restore UN sanctions. They had offered to delay the move for up to six months if Tehran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors, explained its large stockpile of enriched uranium, and engaged in negotiations with the United States.
Asked by Israel’s Channel 12 whether the reimposition of sanctions was now inevitable, Macron replied: “Yes. I think so because the latest news from the Iranians is not serious.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi insisted on Thursday that Tehran had presented a “reasonable and actionable plan” to avert what he called an “unnecessary and avoidable crisis,” saying the proposal addressed “genuine concerns” of Western powers.
Diplomats from both sides acknowledged little progress after a Wednesday call involving the E3, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, and Araqchi but stressed that talks remained open until the deadline.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on Friday on a resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, but diplomats predict it will fail to secure the minimum nine votes required. Even if it did, it would likely face a veto from the United States, Britain, or France.
The looming snapback underscores the deepening divide between Iran and Western powers as efforts to revive nuclear diplomacy falter, raising the risk of renewed tensions in the region.
