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

Published 15 June 2026 · europe

E4 Nations Signal Iran Sanctions Rollback; Demand 'Clear, Verifiable Steps' On Nuclear Curbs Published By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 08:29 IST UK, France, Germany

E4 Nations Signal Iran Sanctions Rollback; Demand 'Clear, Verifiable Steps' On Nuclear Curbs Published By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 08:29 IST UK, France, Germany and Italy backed the US-Iran peace framework, offering sanctions relief if Tehran takes verifiable steps to curb its nuclear programme. People cross the street past a large billboard showing portraits of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) and slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) in central Tehran (AFP) 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).