London (AFP) – France, Germany, and Britain on Friday expressed their “determination to revive negotiations with Iran” regarding its nuclear program.

The three countries said in a joint statement, “We are determined to revive negotiations with Iran and the United States with the aim of reaching a comprehensive, lasting, and verifiable agreement that ensures Iran never possesses nuclear weapons.”

They added, “We see the activation of the snapback sanctions mechanism as justified,” considering that “Iran’s nuclear program poses a serious threat to global peace and security.”

The United Nations reimposed its sanctions on Iran on September 28, after ten years of lifting them following failed negotiations with Western countries. These sanctions range from arms embargoes to economic measures.

France, Britain, and Germany had previously announced they would continue seeking a “diplomatic solution” to the crisis, but Tehran confirmed earlier this week that it is not currently willing to resume talks.

Western countries and Israel suspect Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies, affirming its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

In 2015, after years of negotiations, France, Britain, Germany, the United States, Russia, and China reached an agreement with Tehran to regulate its nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions.

In 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term, the United States withdrew from the agreement and reimposed its own sanctions on Tehran.

In response, Iran gradually abandoned some of its commitments under the agreement, primarily uranium enrichment, prompting the European trio to activate the snapback sanctions mechanism.