Britain, Germany and France E3 — holding key card snapback
The West suspects Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, which it denies
the diplomats said,
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The threat of renewed sanctions is intended to pressure Tehran into concessions But detailed discussions on strategy have yet to take place with the Americans
Because the United States quit a 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA nuclear accord with Iran, it cannot initiate its mechanism for reimposing sanctions, called snapback, at the United Nations Security Council
That makes Britain, Germany and France, known as the E3 the only deal participants capable of and interested in pursuing snapback So it is crucial that Washington align with these allies, analysts said Israel, Iran's arch-enemy, has already lobbied the E3 to initiate it
According to the three diplomats, the E3 told Iran they would trigger the snapback mechanism by the end of June Iran responded that doing so would mean harsh consequences and a review of its nuclear doctrine, the diplomats said
