Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO): Diplomatic Efforts and Sanctions Measures of Three European Countries on the Iranian Nuclear Issue

List of Key Chapter Titles

1. E3's Diplomatic Commitments
2. Current E3 Efforts to Advance Diplomatic Progress
3. E3's Clear Capacity to Invoke Relevant Clauses of UN Security Council Resolution 2231
4. Iran's Non-Fulfillment of its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Commitments
5. Use of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism
6. Conclusion

Document Introduction

This report is based on the formal diplomatic note jointly signed and submitted to institutions such as the United Nations by the foreign ministries of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (collectively referred to as the E3) on August 8, 2025. It systematically elaborates the E3's policy stance, historical diplomatic efforts, current assessments, and potential future actions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. The core context of the report is the impending expiration of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) and the endorsed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in October 2025, while the international community still lacks assurances regarding the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

The document first reviews over two decades of sustained diplomatic efforts by the E3, with the unified goal of ensuring Iran never seeks, acquires, or develops nuclear weapons, and achieving a negotiated solution providing credible guarantees through diplomacy. These efforts led to the 2013 Joint Plan of Action, the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and Security Council Resolution 2231. Despite the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and Iran's commencement of ceasing its commitments in 2019, the E3 has persisted in adhering to its own obligations under the agreement and resolution and has not participated in any military action plans against Iran. Between 2021 and 2022, the E3 attempted to negotiate the return of all relevant parties to compliance, but ultimately failed due to Iran's rejection of the "generous offer" at the time.

The report details Iran's systematic violations of JCPOA commitments since 2019, citing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports as evidence. Specific breaches include: severely exceeding uranium stockpile limits (total enriched uranium reaching 8,400 kg, exceeding the limit by over 40 times, with over 400 kg enriched to 60%), enrichment levels far exceeding the 3.67% limit (up to 60%), conducting enrichment activities at prohibited sites such as Fordow, producing and operating thousands of advanced centrifuges, and almost completely rolling back JCPOA verification and monitoring commitments, including ceasing implementation of the Additional Protocol. These actions violate not only the JCPOA but also its obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

The E3 emphasizes its clear legal basis, under Article 11 of Security Council Resolution 2231, as a JCPOA participant, to trigger the "snapback" sanctions mechanism regarding Iran's "significant non-performance." The report notes that the E3 has proposed to Iran a limited extension of relevant clauses of Security Council Resolution 2231 in exchange for Iran resuming negotiations and addressing the international community's urgent concerns regarding the transparency and scope of its nuclear program. However, this proposal has so far received no response. The E3 has set a final deadline of the end of August 2025. If a diplomatic solution cannot be reached or Iran does not accept the extension proposal by then, the E3 is prepared to initiate the "snapback" mechanism.

The report concludes by stating that the E3 remains committed to resolving the crisis caused by Iran's nuclear program through diplomatic means. However, it is also prepared and possesses a clear legal basis to, if necessary, notify the Security Council of Iran's significant non-compliance and trigger the "snapback" mechanism to uphold international peace and security and ensure the Iranian nuclear proliferation issue continues to receive appropriate consideration by the Security Council. This document provides authoritative primary source material for understanding the E3's strategic considerations, legal stance, and policy options at this critical juncture.