Iran is upping the stakes in its nuclear brinkmanship as European powers race to reach a new agreement on its controversial nuclear programme .

Britain, France and Germany – known as the E3 – face an impending decision as a 31 August deadline approaches on whether to trigger the “snapback” clause under UN Security Council resolution 2231.

This mechanism enables signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal to formally accuse Iran of significant non-compliance, which would automatically reinstate UN sanctions without being vetoed by the council.

The E3 have linked this timing to “termination day” on 18 October, when the resolution’s measures expire. European powers want Tehran to meet conditions including addressing its substantial stockpile of highly enriched uranium , restoring access

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