China walks tightrope on Iran as E3 trigger snapback sanctions
With snapback sanctions now in motion, Beijing must decide how much risk it is willing to assume in standing by Tehran.
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European countries today triggered the snapback mechanism on Iran. The mechanism is part of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which governs the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. It allows any participant in the deal to trigger an almost automatic reimposition of UN sanctions if Iran is found to be noncompliant. France, Germany and the UK — known as the E3 — had threatened to invoke snapback by the end of August if Tehran does not restart nuclear talks with Washington or resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The timing is deliberate. Acting before October ensures that Iran-friendly Russia cannot use its upcoming UN Security Council presidency to complicate the process.
On Tuesday, Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, confirmed that inspectors expelled by Iran in July have returned following talks with European officials, but have so far been given access only to Iran's civilian nuclear power plant. It is the first such step since Tehran halted cooperation with the oversight body during its June war with Israel.
