European powers to start reinstating sanctions on Iran tomorrow, sources say

Diplomats say Britain, France and Germany will likely begin the process of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran tomorrow, but hope Tehran will provide commitments over its nuclear program within 30 days that will convince them to defer concrete action.

Three European diplomats and a Western diplomat say talks yesterday between Iran and the so-called E3 did not yield sufficiently tangible commitments from Iran to delay the move, although they believe there is scope for further diplomacy in the coming weeks.

They say the E3 has decided to start triggering the so-called snapback of UN sanctions, possibly as early as Thursday, over accusations that Iran has violated the 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran has been enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, a short step from the roughly 90% of weapons-grade, and had enough material enriched to that level, if refined further, for six nuclear weapons, according the International Atomic Energy Agency. The deal capped enrichment at less than 4 percent, and limited the size of the stockpile Iran could hold.

The UN process takes 30 days before sanctions that would cover Iran’s financial, banking, hydrocarbons and defense sectors are restored.

“The real negotiations will start once the letter (to the UN Security Council) is submitted,” the Western diplomat says, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Tehran has warned of a “harsh response” if sanctions are reinstated.

The E3 have offered to delay the snapback for as much as six months to enable serious negotiations if Iran resumes full UN inspections and engages in talks with the United States. While Tehran has allowed inspectors into the country, they have not been allowed access to nuclear sites.

One diplomat says Iran showed signs of readiness to resume negotiations with the US in Tuesday’s meeting with the E3.

An Iranian source says it would only do so “if Washington guarantees there will be no [military] strikes during the talks.”