Iran facing action for violating nuclear deal

European countries yesterday triggered a dispute mechanism in their nuclear deal with Iran, a move that could lead to the return of United Nations sanctions on Tehran.

Britain, France and Germany said they had been ‘‘left with no choice’’ but to make the move.

Iran announced on January 5, after the US killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, that it would no longer be bound by limitations on its nuclear energy programme.

Tehran had been gradually reducing its commitments under the deal since the United States withdrew and reimposed sanctions in 2018. With Washington threatening secondary sanctions against European businesses dealing with Iran, Tehran argued that it could no longer reap the financial benefits laid out in the pact in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme.

By initiating the dispute mechanism, the Western European signatories begin a process that could result in a ‘‘snapback’’ of UN sanctions, though officials made clear that such an outcome is not their intention.

Instead, they appear to hope that triggering the process could bring Iran back in line with its commitments under the 2015 agreement, which Tehran negotiated with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

In their statement, the three Western European signatories said they would not be joining the Trump administration’s campaign of ‘‘maximum pressure’’ against Iran and reiterated their ‘‘regret’’ at the US decision to withdraw.

‘‘Our goal is clear,’’ said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. ‘‘We want to preserve the agreement and reach a diplomatic solution within its framework.’’

That, however, would depend on the path Tehran chooses to take. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it would have an ‘‘appropriate and serious response’’ to any ‘‘illwilled or unconstructive actions’’.

It said that since Iran had begun a dispute process itself a year and a half earlier, after the US withdrawal, it deemed yesterday’s announcement ‘‘nothing new.’’ If European countries continue to follow the United States in a ‘‘subordinate way’’ and ‘‘abuse’’ the agreement, then ‘‘they must also prepare to accept the consequences,’’ the Foreign Ministry said.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on European allies to withdraw from the Obama-era deal. However, the deal’s other signatories have stood by it, arguing that it is the best way to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Europe remains several steps away from abandoning the deal.

The clock will start on a negotiation period that could last 35 days. After that, a signatory would have to raise the dispute to the UN Security Council. Then, if the Security Council cannot agree on a resolution – a stalemate would be likely, given that the permanent members already disagree – sanctions would be reimposed. –

AP European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell talks to reporters at the European parliament yesterday in Strasbourg, eastern France. Britain, France and Germany have launched action under the Iran nuclear agreement paving the way for possible sanctions in response to Tehran’s attempts to roll back parts of the deal, Borrell said.