Iran nuclear: UK, France and Germany move to reimpose UN sanctions

The three powers trigger a process which could restore sanctions in 30 days, calling Iran's nuclear programme a threat to peace and security.

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The move will trigger a so-called snapback mechanism, which could result in the return of sanctions in 30 days.

In a letter to the European Union's policy chief, Iran's foreign minister said the three countries had "no legal jurisdiction" to reactivate the sanctions and that both Russia and China supported Iran's position.

The minister wrote that Iran was ready to resume "fair and balanced" negotiations on the disputed programme if the other parties showed "seriousness and goodwill".

Participants in the 2015 deal, the three European nations warned two weeks ago that they were prepared to restore the sanctions unless Iran agreed to a "diplomatic solution" by the end of August.