Iran vows response as Europeans move to reimpose UN sanctions

Britain, France and Germany on Thursday launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a step likely to stoke tensions two months after Israel and the United States bombed Iran.

A senior Iranian official quickly accused the three European powers of undermining diplomacy and vowed that Tehran would not bow to pressure over the E3's move to launch the so-called "snapback mechanism."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also denounced the E3's decision, calling it "unjustified, illegal and lacking any legal basis."

Stressing that Iran's stance remains firm in defending its legal rights under international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Araqchi said that Iran will respond appropriately to protect its national rights and interests.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that if the snapback proceeds, Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency will end.

"If they opt for snapback, it makes no sense for Iran to continue working with them," Gharibabadi said.

Iran and the E3 have held several rounds of talks since Israel and the U.S. bombed its nuclear installations in mid-June, aiming to agree to defer the snapback mechanism. But the E3 deemed that talks in Geneva on Tuesday did not yield sufficient signals of readiness for a new deal from Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the E3 move and said Washington remained available for direct engagement with Iran "in furtherance of a peaceful, enduring resolution to the Iran nuclear issue."

The E3 said they hoped Iran would engage by the end of September to allay concerns about its nuclear agenda sufficiently for them to defer concrete action.

Iran has previously warned of a "harsh response" if sanctions are reinstated, and it is reviewing its options, including withdrawing from the NPT.

The United Nations called on Thursday for Iran and major powers to seize the momentum to strike a nuclear deal in the next 30 days before the reimposition of UN sanctions triggered by Europe.

"In the next 30 days, there is a window of opportunity to avoid any further escalation and find a way forward that serves peace," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The UN Security Council is due to meet behind closed doors on Friday at the request of the E3 to discuss the snapback move against Iran.

(With input from agencies)