SAEDNEWS: European countries participating in the JCPOA have activated the “snapback mechanism”, allowing for the automatic reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran. But what exactly is this mechanism, and how could it bring back the international sanctions that existed before the nuclear deal?
Recently, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—Europe’s three members of the JCPOA—activated the “snapback mechanism” to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran, sparking renewed debate over the nuclear deal. Critics had long warned that while the JCPOA included mechanisms to penalize Iran for breaching its commitments, it offered no similar enforcement against Western countries failing to meet their obligations.
The snapback, included in UN Security Council Resolution 2231, allows any JCPOA member state that is also a UN member to reimpose sanctions previously lifted under the nuclear deal. This mechanism is designed to be unblockable and veto-proof, ensuring that permanent Security Council members cannot prevent the return of sanctions if deemed necessary.
On June 24, 2025, the three European nations convened during the NATO summit in The Hague, pledging to use the snapback mechanism. They avoided acknowledging their own failures after the U.S. exit from the JCPOA in 2018 or their inability to counter unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Experts like Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association note that while the snapback restores certain UN sanctions, it also risks escalating tensions if not paired with genuine diplomatic engagement. Iran, in response, has emphasized its commitment to balanced negotiations while demanding guarantees that its nuclear rights under the NPT will be respected and that no further military actions occur during talks.
Best-case: Europe and the U.S. use the 30-day snapback window to negotiate a practical agreement with Iran, restoring transparency and safeguarding nuclear facilities while extending diplomatic channels.
Worst-case: Iran could retaliate by suspending its NPT commitments or accelerating its nuclear program, potentially reigniting conflicts with Israel and the U.S.
The snapback move underscores the fragile balance of diplomacy and enforcement in the nuclear arena. While Europe asserts pressure, Iran warns that structural weaknesses in the JCPOA leave Tehran little choice but to respond firmly if its rights and security are threatened.
