---
title: 'UK, France, Germany and Italy Signal Sanctions Relief for Iran'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/uk-france-germany-italy-sanctions-relief-iran/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-06-15T13:10:21+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Europe'
  - 'Middle East'
---

# UK, France, Germany and Italy Signal Sanctions Relief for Iran

Four of Europe’s largest countries are aligned to unwind economic sanctions on Iran after a  preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran to end their conflict.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, collectively known as the E4, announced they are prepared to lift sanctions on Iran following the deal.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the four countries said they are ready to remove “relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program.”

The E4 leaders were unambiguous on one red line, however, saying “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the US, Iran and the IAEA to this end.”

The backdrop to Sunday’s statement is a sweeping agreement that reshaped the geopolitical landscape almost overnight.

The US-Iran agreement is broad in scope; including a ceasefire following nearly four months of conflict, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a 60-day window for formal nuclear negotiations.

**Read More: [US–Iran Preliminary Deal Reached, Signing Set for Friday](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/us-iran-preliminary-deal-reached-signing-set-for-friday/)**

The deal likely returns the situation to a status resembling the one that existed before the war, though with thousands dead and Iran wielding new negotiating leverage through its demonstrated ability to influence traffic through the Strait.

The waterway is crucial to significant shipments of oil, natural gas, and related products like fertilizer, and its effective closure rattled the global economy.

Draft terms suggest a suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales and the potential release of up to $24 billion in frozen assets.

According to Iran’s *Mehr* news agency, citing a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two nations, the US will release $12 billion in frozen assets before formal negotiations even begin. Markets reacted quickly, with US crude oil benchmark WTI falling nearly 4% on the day.

The agreement is expected to be formally signed on Friday in Geneva, at which point it would take effect, kicking off 60 days of talks over Iran’s nuclear program.