SAEDNEWS: France’s foreign minister has once again threatened to reinstate United Nations sanctions on Iran through the “snapback” mechanism unless Tehran returns to substantive nuclear negotiations and fully cooperates with the IAEA.
According to Saed News, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot used a joint press briefing with China’s Wang Yi in Paris to underscore that a diplomatic solution remains the sole avenue for addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. Barrot urged both Paris and Beijing to “swiftly revive talks” and bring all parties back to the negotiating table.
Barrot insisted that Iran must “immediately restore full cooperation” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighting China’s pivotal role in facilitating compliance. “A robust agreement that fails to safeguard our security interests will leave us no alternative but to reinstate sanctions we lifted a decade ago,” he warned, alluding to both arms and banking restrictions. He noted that any decision to reimpose UN measures would be contingent upon the release of two detained French nationals accused of espionage.
This marks the latest in a series of European ultimatums invoking the so‑called snapback clause—a mechanism allowing the revival of international sanctions if Iran breaches its commitments. Tehran, for its part, has vowed “decisive action” should the snapback be triggered, and maintains it has consistently engaged at the negotiating table, blaming Washington and Jerusalem for undermining diplomatic efforts.
As Paris and Berlin press for renewed pressure, analysts caution that without concurrent engagement from Washington and Tehran, the snapback threat risks deepening regional tensions and further complicating prospects for a comprehensive long‑term accord
