The United States and its European allies have agreed to set the end of August as the final deadline to revive the Iran nuclear deal, with plans to reimpose UN sanctions should Tehran fail to comply. The coordinated position was confirmed during a phone call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK.

The US and three key European allies — France, Germany, and the UK — have set a hard deadline for nuclear negotiations with Iran to conclude by the end of August, Axios reported. Should Iran refuse to meet the terms, the European states intend to trigger the UN Security Council’s "snapback" mechanism, which would automatically reinstate sanctions lifted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Diplomatic sources indicated that the phone call aimed to coordinate strategy ahead of this ultimatum, warning Tehran that renewed sanctions are imminent if it does not return to compliance, including allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume inspections.

Sources briefed on the discussions noted that Iran’s removal of its approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity could help avert the sanctions. Tehran is being urged to demonstrate transparency in its nuclear activities to avoid further escalation.

The 2015 nuclear agreement limited Iran’s uranium stockpile to 202.8 kilograms at low enrichment levels. However, since the US withdrawal under former President Donald Trump in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions, Tehran has steadily increased its enrichment efforts.

Tensions remain high following Israel’s 12-day offensive on Iran last month, targeting nuclear and military sites. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on Israeli positions before a US-brokered ceasefire was reached on June 24.

The looming August deadline is being framed as the final opportunity for diplomacy before a return to sweeping UN sanctions and renewed isolation for Tehran.