European powers trigger “snapback” sanctions against Iran

Axios-Aug 28th 2025

Barak Ravid

France, Germany, and the U.K. sent a letter Thursday morning to members of the UN Security Council announcing they are triggering the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran, which had been suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, according to two European diplomats.

Why it matters: In the letter, the three European powers emphasized that during the next 30 days — before the sanctions take effect — they are open to negotiations with Iran on a nuclear agreement that could halt the process.

• The “snapback” mechanism automatically reimposes all UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• The move is expected to increase the economic pressure on Iran and likely lead to Iranian retaliation.
• Iranian officials have threatened in the past that triggering the “snapback” mechanism would lead Iran to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
• The State Department declined to comment on the matter.

Driving the news: France, Germany and the U.K. gave Iran until the end of August to take steps to avoid snapback sanctions.

• The European powers wanted Iran to resume negotiations with the U.S. over a nuclear deal, and give UN inspectors full access to its nuclear sites and any 60% highly enriched uranium that survived U.S. and Israeli strikes.
• A meeting in Geneva on Tuesday between senior diplomats from Iran and the European powers ended with no results.
• A source with knowledge of the Geneva meeting said the Iranians “haven’t put tangible detailed deliverables on the table” and closed the door on the possibility of extending the deadline for “snapback.”
• On Wednesday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the U.K. and the EU foreign policy chief told Secretary of State Marco Rubio they would trigger the “snapback” mechanism on Thursday, three sources with direct knowledge told Axios.

What they’re saying: “The E3 leaders think that Iran has been for years in clear violation of its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, with no concrete steps taken to remedy that situation,” a European diplomat said explaining to decision to trigger the “snapback.”

• Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Iranian state television that if the Europeans trigger the “snapback” Iran will retaliate, including suspension of cooperation with the IAEA.
• The Iranians have also questioned the logic of punishing them for not negotiating with the U.S. or complying with the 2015 deal when it was the U.S. that walked away from that deal and then bombed them in the middle of the previous negotiations.

What to watch: The process of activating “snapback” takes 30 days, and the Europeans want to conclude the process before Russia assumes the UN Security Council presidency in October.

• “Triggering the snapback process would not mean the end of diplomacy. The E3 remain open to engaging with Iran in the weeks until the UN sanctions will come into effect”, a European diplomat said.Read more on original:https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/iran-snapback-sanctions-european-plan