Europe initiates sanction restart process against Iran

In a significant diplomatic move, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have initiated the "snapback" mechanism to reimpose United Nations (UN) sanctions on Iran. This decision, which triggers a 30-day countdown to the reimposition of sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, marks a potential diplomatic challenge for Russia and China.

The sanctions, which include an arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, and ballistic missile testing and transfers, are intended to increase economic and political pressure on Iran. Combined with existing U.S. sanctions, this move aims to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and bring it back into compliance with international agreements.

The decision comes in response to Iran's continued violation of the "Safeguards Agreement," a key element of the "Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty." In 2021, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered hidden nuclear research activities in Iran, and Iran has been found to be hindering inspections by Western inspectors, refusing to allow IAEA inspectors to examine damaged objects, and hiding enriched uranium.

The foreign ministers of the three European countries have stated that they have made "comprehensive efforts of goodwill" to reach an agreement, but "more than six years have passed since Iran publicly ceased fulfilling its commitments." Despite this, the door for diplomacy remains open, as the United States has emphasized that the door for diplomacy remains open.

This move is a diplomatic victory for the United States, which has been pushing for stricter sanctions on Iran. However, the decision does not necessarily close the door for future diplomatic negotiations. The "snapback" decision does not prevent Iran from negotiating with the international community in the future.

European countries were reluctant to take this decision earlier, abstaining from restoring sanctions and opposing a similar U.S. initiative in 2020. However, the continued violation of international agreements by Iran has led to a change in stance. Russia and China may try to block sanctions at the UN, but they cannot veto them, making Europe's initiative a significant step in global diplomatic play.

In 2021, Iran enriched uranium to 60% purity, almost to the level needed for nuclear weapons. This move, coupled with Iran's continued violation of international agreements, has led to increased international pressure on Iran to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The plummeting of the rial's exchange rate to over a million per dollar is a result of Europe's decision. The sanctions are expected to further exacerbate Iran's economic woes and increase political instability in the country.

As the 30-day countdown to the reimposition of UN sanctions continues, the international community will closely watch Iran's response and the potential for future diplomatic negotiations. The decision to trigger the "snapback" mechanism is a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic play between Iran and the international community.