Europe seeks to shake Iran’s stability with snapback, Iranian MP says

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the UK, France and Germany for triggering the snapback of UN sanctions, saying the move “is driven not by legal necessity or sound judgment” but by “obedience” to US policy.

In a post on X, Baghaei accused the E3 of abandoning credibility and following a “rules-based order” where “might makes right.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday that the next 30 days offer a renewed opportunity to reach a diplomatic solution on Iran’s nuclear program.

“We are entering a new phase… to really find diplomatic ways to find a solution,” she told reporters.

The remarks came after France, Germany and the UK triggered the UN snapback process, giving Tehran until late September to avoid the return of sanctions.

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that resuming UN sanctions on Iran would harm efforts toward a political and diplomatic resolution of the nuclear issue. Beijing continues to call for dialogue and a negotiated settlement.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested during a motorcycle world tour and later charged with espionage—allegations they deny. Their son, Joe Bennett, said the couple were assigned a “state-appointed lawyer they only just met.”

“We cannot see how [this] could be considered to be a fair trial,” Bennett said, expressing alarm over the opaque process and lack of transparency.

Concerns grow over health and consular access

Craig Foreman, held at Evin Prison for the past 25 days, has no access to funds or hygiene supplies, according to his son.

The British ambassador had been scheduled to visit Craig, but the family says the meeting didn’t happen—possibly because he had already been taken to court. Meanwhile, Lindsay Foreman was seen by the ambassador and given essential items.

“The lack of transparency only deepens our concern,” said Bennett. “Craig has already lost weight, and now, with no access to food beyond the bare minimum, I can only guess at how he must be.”

Detained and tortured, source tells Iran International

In July, Iran International reported that the couple had been held in solitary confinement for months and subjected to torture by agents of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. A source familiar with the case said they were beaten, deprived of sleep, and threatened with execution during interrogations meant to extract confessions.

Despite these conditions, both have maintained their innocence.

Arrested in January while touring the country

The couple, both in their 50s, entered Iran from Armenia during a world motorcycle trip. They were arrested on January 4 near the city of Kerman and charged with spying. The UK government has denied the charges and repeatedly called for their release.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran,” the Foreign Office has said. “We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.”

Detainees as bargaining chips

Iran has a long history of detaining foreign nationals—often dual citizens—in what rights groups and Western governments view as politically motivated actions aimed at securing diplomatic leverage or concessions.

Tehran has denied that its detentions are political in nature.

Germany has advised its citizens to leave Iran and avoid travel to the country amid growing tensions following Berlin's role in triggering the UN snapback mechanism to reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

In a statement published on Thursday, the German Foreign Ministry cited recent threats by Iranian officials and warned that “it cannot be ruled out that German interests and nationals will be affected by countermeasures in Iran.”

The ministry also noted that the German Embassy in Tehran is currently able to provide only “limited consular assistance.”

Britain, France, and Germany on Thursday formally initiated the 30-day process to restore UN sanctions on Iran, citing violations of the 2015 nuclear deal. The move has heightened the risk of retaliatory measures from Tehran, which has warned of consequences if sanctions are reinstated.