Should sanctions be restored against Iran

snapback mechanism

UNSC Resolution 2231 in 2015: endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action, also called the Iran nuclear deal.

it allows reimposing prior UN sanctions if Iran significantly violates nuclear commitments. Automatically

deal between Iran, the US, the UK, the EU, France, Russia, China and Germany

main obligations

• limits on nuclear activities: reduce its uranium stockpile by 98%

• monitoring and verification: the international atomic energy agency was given access to Iran’s nuclear facilities to verify compliance through continuous surveillance and inspections

• sanctions relief: in exchange, no more economic sanctions, unlocking billions of dollars in frozen assets and enabling oil exports

• snapback mechanism

argument for restoring sanctions

• iran has exceeded limits on uranium enrichment since 2019

• sanctions could pressure iran back into compliance and negociations

• helps prevent nuclear proliferation and maintain regional security

arguments against restoring sanctions

• could collapse the remaining Joint Comprehensive Plan of action framework and diplomacy

• US withdrawal questions its legal right to invoke snapback

• severe humanitarian and economic impact on the Iranian population

• risks undermining trust in the UN and international legal mechanisms

legal and political considerations

• legal ambiguity: is the US still able to invoke snapback

• political divisions: EU, Russia and China oppose snapback

• enforcement and legitimacy concerns in the UNSC

risks

could address nuclear risks but worsen diplomacy and humanitarian conditions

a balanced approach should focus on reviving or renegotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action through diplomacy

the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action

2018

and reimposed strict measures

2025

the Uk, France and Germany called on the mechanism bc they considered Iran was not complying with it

the status of invoking the mechanism

unilateral and the UNSC cannot do anything about it