At midnight on Sunday, Europe pulled the trigger on the so-called snapback sanctions against Iran. France, Germany and the United Kingdom simultaneously activated the mechanism, a move that automatically reinstated long-dormant United Nations sanctions which had been suspended for nearly a decade. The symbolism is stark: the landmark 2015 nuclear deal: the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is finished.
The “snapback” mechanism was built into the JCPOA, allowing any signatory to restore sanctions if Iran violated its nuclear commitments. What was once hailed as a rare diplomatic triumph now lies in ruins. European leaders insist Tehran has breached nearly all of its obligations, leaving them with “no choice”. But the timing raises questions. Why now, just before Russia assumed the Security Council presidency in October?
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The Calculated Timing
The original UN sanctions were due to expire permanently
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