Vienna [Austria], August 28: Germany, France and Britain could reintroduce UN sanctions on Iran as soon as Thursday if Tehran does not attempt to resolve the dispute over its nuclear programme, despite international nuclear experts returning to Iran.
The three European countries - known collectively as the E3 - could activate a so-called snapback mechanism at the UN Security Council in New York, DPA learnt on Wednesday. The mechanism allows old UN sanctions such as an arms embargo and punitive measures against Iranian individuals and organizations to take effect.
Earlier, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said international nuclear inspectors have returned to Iran after an absence of more than seven weeks.
The inspectors left the country following Israeli and US attacks in June on Iranian nuclear facilities.
A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has initially been dispatched to the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was not a target of Israeli attacks, rather than to the damaged uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordo, according to information obtained by dpa.
The current diplomatic dispute and the June attacks stem from long-running fears that Iran is producing material for nuclear bombs in Natanz and Fordo, an allegation that Tehran vehemently rejects.
Grossi cautiously welcomed the dispatch of the IAEA team in remarks to the BBC broadcaster.
"We are taking the initial steps. These are constructive steps," he said.
However, the move appears to have failed to appease the E3 powers, after nuclear talks in Geneva between government representatives from Tehran, Berlin, London and Paris ended without a breakthrough on Tuesday. The three countries had previously warned they would activate the snapback mechanism if Iran was unwilling to resolve the dispute by the end of August.
Source: Qatar Tribune
