Iran's former foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, has warned that Iran may withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if Britain, France, and Germany move forward with plans to reimpose United Nations sanctions. The warning follows a joint letter from the three European nations to the United Nations, stating their readiness to restore sanctions should diplomatic efforts over Iran's nuclear program fail by the end of August.
Mottaki, now a member of parliament, emphasized that Iranian lawmakers are prepared to act swiftly, approving a bill to exit the 2015 nuclear agreement within a day if the snapback mechanism is triggered. The 2015 accord, which provided sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran's nuclear activities, is set to expire in October, allowing any signatory to reinstate sanctions.