The Latest Breaking News from Germany

The three European powers plan to impose sweeping sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation after efforts to restart diplomatic talks stalled.

France, Britain and Germany on Thursday triggered a mechanism to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran for failing to comply with commitments over its nuclear programme signed a decade ago.

France, the United Kingdom and Germany are demanding Iran make tough concessions to avoid coming under more sanctions.

France, Germany and the UK on Thursday triggered the UN “snapback” mechanism to restore sanctions on Iran, saying Tehran has violated the 2015 nuclear deal. The step coincided with the return of UN inspectors to Iran for the first time since Israel’s June attacks on its nuclear sites.

Eurozone economic confidence slipped in August, with sentiment weakening in Germany, Italy and Spain. France’s political crisis, ahead of a no-confidence vote, adds fresh uncertainty as markets brace for possible fallout.

All NATO countries will meet the alliance’s long-standing defence spending target this year – but only three are currently reaching a new, higher goal set in June, data showed on Thursday.

Decision by European powers follows Iran’s failure to readmit UN inspectors to all of its nuclear sites

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged France’s “determined support” for Moldova and its goal of joining the European Union during a visit with the leaders of Germany and Poland on Wednesday. The trip came on the eve of campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections amid claims of Russian interference.

EU defence production has been hindered by the sector's high level of fragmentation as many member states have historically favoured their own domestic defence industries on national security grounds.