E4 Nations Signal Iran Sanctions Rollback; Demand 'Clear, Verifiable Steps' On Nuclear Curbs

The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy have said they are prepared to lift sanctions on Iran if Tehran takes “clear, verifiable steps” on its nuclear programme, marking a significant diplomatic endorsement of the newly announced US-Iran peace framework aimed at ending months of conflict across the Middle East.

In a joint statement, the four European nations welcomed the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran to halt the war and signalled that sanctions relief could form part of a broader diplomatic settlement.

“We are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme. We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum

and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement,” the statement said, according to AFP.

The countries also reiterated their position that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons.

“Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the US, Iran and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to this end,” the statement added.

The European backing comes as global powers seek to convert a fragile ceasefire arrangement into a broader diplomatic settlement that addresses both regional security concerns and Tehran’s nuclear activities.

The statement also underscored the role the International Atomic Energy Agency could play in verifying Iranian compliance with any future commitments.

US-IRAN DEAL SET FOR FORMAL SIGNING

The European announcement followed the disclosure by US and Iranian officials that they had agreed on a framework to end the conflict, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil and gas supplies.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country acted as a mediator, said the agreement called for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday (June 19).

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council later said military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, would end permanently beginning Monday night.

NUCLEAR PROGRAMME TO DOMINATE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS

While the agreement establishes a framework for ending hostilities, Reuters reported that the future of Iran’s nuclear programme remains unresolved and will be addressed during negotiations expected to take place over a 60-day ceasefire period.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said a broader agreement would be negotiated during that period, including discussions on sanctions relief.

The issue of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is expected to be one of the most difficult topics.

Reuters reported that a US official said the eventual agreement would lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme and the destruction or removal of its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

However, a senior Iranian official said the draft agreement would instead allow Iran to dilute its enriched uranium within the country.

Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ REOPENING WELCOMED

Trump also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on Friday and said he had ordered an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” Trump wrote.

The prospect of renewed shipping through the strategic waterway was welcomed by markets, with Reuters reporting that Brent crude futures fell about 4 per cent in early trading while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped more than 4.6 per cent.

The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, since fighting escalated earlier this year.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the US response targeting Iranian ports disrupted energy markets and heightened fears of a wider regional war.