Iran’s Nuclear Talks with E3: Will UN Sanctions Return?

On Friday, Iran pushed back against suggestions of extending U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which underpins the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This deal, signed between Iran and world powers, lifted international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Talks resumed in Istanbul, marking the first face-to-face discussions between Iran and Western powers—specifically the E3 group (France, Germany, and the UK)—since Israel’s mid-June military strikes and subsequent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. These attacks led to a 12-day conflict, derailing prior U.S.-Iran negotiations that had begun in April.

At the center of the discussions is the October 18 expiration of U.N. Resolution 2231. If no agreement is reached, all remaining U.N. sanctions on Iran will be lifted, unless a “snapback mechanism” is activated. This mechanism allows any JCPOA signatory to unilaterally reimpose international sanctions—targeting Iran’s oil, banking, and defense sectors—by simply notifying the U.N. Security Council. To allow time for triggering this mechanism if necessary, the E3 powers have set a de facto deadline of late August to either revive diplomacy or act. European diplomats are pushing for concrete steps from Iran in exchange for considering a six-month extension of the resolution’s enforcement.

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Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, along with senior diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi, led the Iranian delegation. Following what were described as “serious, frank and detailed” discussions, Gharibabadi emphasized Iran's principled opposition to the snapback mechanism, and criticized Western positions regarding recent military aggression against Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei reiterated that any discussion of extending Resolution 2231 is “meaningless and baseless.” He accused the West of using the mechanism as a political tool rather than honoring the spirit of the JCPOA.

The talks also touched on the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Its director, Rafael Grossi, speaking in Singapore on Friday, confirmed that Iran has indicated readiness to restart technical-level discussions. Grossi clarified these talks would begin with “modalities”—frameworks for future cooperation—and not yet include on-site inspections. Previously, in late June, following the Israeli and U.S. strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had rebuffed Grossi’s request to visit bombed nuclear sites, calling such insistence “meaningless” and “possibly malign in intent.”

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A particularly urgent matter remains Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Since last month’s conflict, the whereabouts of approximately 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons-grade uranium—enriched close to 60% purity—are unknown. While this is below the 90% purity needed for weapons, it far exceeds the 3.67% limit set under the JCPOA, raising global concerns. Iran maintains that uranium enrichment is a non-negotiable right for civilian use, while the U.S. sees high-level enrichment as a “red line” indicative of weapons ambitions. Tehran has signaled openness to discuss enrichment levels, but not its sovereign right to enrich.

Iran also continues to deny allegations of seeking a nuclear weapon, asserting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful energy purposes and is a source of national pride. Nonetheless, European and Iranian diplomats have acknowledged that there is no realistic prospect of U.S.-Iran negotiations resuming in the immediate term, especially in the shadow of the recent strikes and diplomatic fallout. Iran has even hinted at withdrawing from the global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—a key international pact to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons—should U.N. sanctions be reimposed via the snapback process. Such a move would mark a significant escalation, further isolating Iran and increasing pressure on its already struggling economy.

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