Britain, France and Germany are likely to begin the process of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran on Thursday, but hope Tehran will provide commitments over its nuclear program within 30 days that will convince them to defer concrete action, four diplomats said, Report informs via Reuters.
The trio, known as the E3, met Iran on Tuesday to try to revive diplomacy over the nuclear program before they lose the ability in mid-October to restore sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under a 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.
Three European diplomats and a Western diplomat said Tuesday's talks did not yield sufficiently tangible commitments from Iran, although they believed there was scope for further diplomacy in the coming weeks.
They said the E3 had decided to start triggering the so-called snapback of UN sanctions, possibly as early as Thursday, over accusations that Iran has violated the 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The West says the advancement of Iran's nuclear program goes beyond civilian needs, while Tehran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.
The UN process takes 30 days before sanctions that would cover Iran's financial, banking, hydrocarbons and defense sectors were restored.
"The real negotiations will start once the letter (to the UN Security Council) is submitted," the Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A German foreign ministry spokesperson said triggering the snapback remained an option for the E3. The British and French foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tehran has warned of a "harsh response" if sanctions are reinstated.
One diplomat said Iran had shown signs of readiness to resume negotiations with the US in Tuesday's meeting with the E3. An Iranian source said it would only do so "if Washington guarantees there will be no (military) strikes during the talks".