Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to Lift Sanctions on Iran

On June 15, 2026, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement announcing that they would conditionally lift sanctions on Iran following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to end the conflict. This event occurred against the backdrop of the ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran.

Key Points of the Statement

Conditions for Lifting: If Iran takes clear and verifiable measures regarding its nuclear program, the four countries will formally lift the relevant sanctions, emphasizing that Iran “must never acquire nuclear weapons.”

Agreement Evaluation: The four countries believe that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding presents an opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy, calling for the “swift and full implementation” of the agreement.

Key Demands: The four countries stressed the need for the unconditional and unrestricted urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a core concern in the current situation.

Follow-up Direction: The four countries stated that they will work closely with the United States, Iran, and regional partners to seize the current opportunity to advance the diplomatic process and strive for a long-term diplomatic solution.

This statement was released after the United States and Iran reached a ceasefire memorandum of understanding to end the war. The international community generally regards this statement as an important step in promoting the easing of the situation in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Guterres also congratulated the US and Iran on reaching the agreement, believing that the agreement to achieve a permanent ceasefire and restart navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a key step in peacefully resolving the conflict.