Context:

The United Nations Security Council has reimposed a suite of sanctions on Iran, including a conventional arms embargo, by activating the “snapback” mechanism embedded in the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA). The snapback was initiated by Britain, France, and Germany (the “E3”), who accused Tehran of breaching its JCPOA commitments.

About “Snapback” Mechanism:

The snapback mechanism is a provision in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UNSC Resolution 2231 (2015) that permits any JCPOA participant to reimpose previously lifted UN sanctions on Iran if it is judged to commit a “significant non‑performance” of its obligations under the deal.

·        The idea is to ensure that if Iran violates its commitments, there is a path to restore multilateral sanctions swiftly without being blocked by a permanent member’s veto.

What sanctions were restored?

The snapback restores many of the UN constraints that had been lifted under the JCPOA, most notably:

• • A conventional arms embargo on transfers to Iran;
  • Restrictions on ballistic‑missile related transfers and technology;
  • Designations, asset freezes and travel bans for individuals and entities tied to Iran’s nuclear or missile programmes;
  • Enhanced inspection and interdiction measures for suspect shipments.

Strategic and regional implications:

• • Iran’s economy— already under pressure—faces further strain, with possible effects on currency stability, investment and trade.
  • Regional security in the Middle East may tense up: Gulf states and Israel — wary of Iran’s capabilities — are likely to welcome renewed pressure, while Tehran’s allies may mobilise diplomatic and material countermeasures.
  • Nuclear dynamics: Sanctions could harden Tehran’s position and incentivise further nuclear‑related advances as leverage; alternatively, they might bring Iran back to the negotiating table if credible incentives are offered.
  • Global governance: The episode tests multilateral dispute‑resolution mechanisms and highlights how geopolitical rivalries among Security Council members complicate enforcement of non‑proliferation rules.

About Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA):

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 countries (China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK, and the US) along with the European Union.

·        Its primary objective is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons by imposing strict limits on its nuclear program.

·        Key commitments by Iran under the deal include reducing its enriched uranium stockpile by 98%, capping uranium enrichment levels at 3.67%, and allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct rigorous inspections.

·        In exchange, economic sanctions on Iran were lifted. However, the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, leading to renewed tensions and Iran resuming higher levels of nuclear enrichment.

Conclusion:

The UN’s reimposition of snapback sanctions, including a renewed arms embargo, marks a consequential development in the Iran nuclear saga. Legally complex and politically charged, it re‑introduces coercive pressure on Tehran but also raises questions about enforcement coherence, humanitarian impacts and prospects for renewed negotiations. The coming months will determine whether sanctions push Iran toward compromise or trigger reciprocal escalation — with important implications for regional stability and the credibility of multilateral non‑proliferation mechanisms.