Britain, Germany and France have told UN officials that snapback sanctions are on the table if Iran does not sit down to negotiate over its nuclear weaponry.

The Iranian government didn't immediately respond to the development, but parliament member Manouchehr Mottaki warned of a swift reaction to any move to trigger the sanctions.

France, Germany and Britain have written to the United Nations to say they are ready to reinstate sanctions on Iran if it does not return to negotiations with the international community over its nuclear programme.