UK, France, Germany ready to reimpose sanctions on Iran over nuclear issue

The UK, France, and Germany wrote to the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday saying that they are ready to reimpose sanctions on Iran if a diplomatic solution to handle the country's nuclear program is not reached before the end of August this year.

The group, known as the E3, said if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August or seize the opportunity of an extension, a so-called "snapback" mechanism will be triggered.

In July this year, the three European countries proposed that if Iran agreed to resume negotiations with the United States and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before September, they could postpone to launch the "snapback" sanctions mechanism.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with several major countries including the E3 in 2015. The agreement imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Resolution 2231, adopted by the UN Security Council following Iran's signature of the nuclear deal, included a "snapback" mechanism, which allows signatories to the deal to take measures against Iran if any violations happen.

Iran has stressed many times that parties in Europe have no right to use the mechanism and any abuse of the mechanism will be met with resolute responses.

Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in June after accusing Israel and the United States of attacking its nuclear facilities and assassinating its scientists. Tehran has said it will not resume cooperation unless the security of its sites and personnel is guaranteed.

On June 13, two days prior to the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, Israel launched major airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and many civilians. Iran responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel.

On June 22, U.S. forces bombed the three Iranian nuclear facilities of Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. In retaliation, Iran struck the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Following the 12-day war, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was achieved on June 24.

In recent days, Washington has repeatedly demanded that Iran completely cease uranium enrichment, a request firmly rejected by Tehran.

UK, France, Germany ready to reimpose sanctions on Iran over nuclear issue

UK, France, Germany ready to reimpose sanctions on Iran over nuclear issue

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Beijing on Monday, and called on German companies to seize opportunities and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners in traditional and emerging sectors.

Wang noted that economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany has helped both sides develop industrial integration, interconnected markets, and complementary technologies, stabilizing and deepening bilateral relations, while also promoting the healthy development of China's trade and economic relations with the European Union (EU).

"We welcome German companies to seize new opportunities, consolidate cooperation in traditional sectors including machinery, automobiles, and chemicals, and tap the potential for cooperation in emerging businesses such as clean energy, intelligent manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals," said Wang.

Wang also noted that the current trend of politicizing trade and economic issue is on the rise, and global industrial and supply chains are being severely disrupted as a result. China and Germany, as well as China and the EU, should uphold free trade and safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, Wang said.

Wadephul said Germany opposes protectionism and considers China its most important trading partner. He added that Germany wants to maintain and expand the positive momentum of cooperation.

"China is a driver of innovation and a major hub for high technology in many aspects. We are very keen to maintain exchanges with China both economically and scientifically," said Wadephul.

China and Germany are the world's second and third biggest economies. According to German data, China was once again Germany's largest trading partner in the first three quarters of this year.

China’s commerce minister meets with German FM, calling for deepening cooperation