By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process to reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme on Thursday, according to a letter sent by the three nations to the U.N. Security Council seen by Reuters.

The trio, known as the E3, has taken the step over accusations Iran has failed to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

WHAT IS THE 2015 IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?

Many countries have suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, which Iran denies.

Iran reached a deal in 2015 with Britain, Germany, France, the U.S., Russia, and China - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - that lifted U.N., U.S. and European sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

The U.N. Security Council enshrined the deal in a resolution in July 2015. That resolution – and the ability of any parties to the nuclear deal to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions on Iran - is due to expire on October 18.

WHAT IS SNAPBACK?

Under the 2015 agreement, there is a process known as snapback that would reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran.

If the parties cannot resolve accusations of "significant non-performance" by Iran, this process can be triggered at the 15-member U.N. Security Council.

Now that the process has been initiated, the Security Council must vote within 30 days on a resolution to continue Iran's sanctions........

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