Amid the renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel, global attention has shifted back to the “snapback” mechanism. A core yet controversial feature developed in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This mechanism, enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Meaning the automatic reinstatement of international sanctions if Iran is found to be in significant violation of the agreement.
Originally intended as a legal safeguard, the snapback has evolved into a geopolitical flashpoint, symbolizing the broader reconfiguration of global power. The E3 (France, Germany, and UK) have warned that Iran’s recent actions could justify reactivating the mechanism. The countries highlighted the rising diplomatic strain following the collapse of negotiations and the aftermath of the war.
If triggered, the process would require a formal complaint to the UN Security Council, initiating a 30-day period for the Council to respond. Without a resolution to block it, the previous sanctions regime would automatically return. This will bypass the traditional veto power of permanent members, an unprecedented exception in UN procedures.
Snapback origin story
The snapback was conceived as a legal valve to prevent Iran from exploiting political divisions among global powers. Any JCPOA signatory can claim a breach, and unless the Security Council intervenes, sanctions automatically resume. This innovation broke with the established norm of requiring consensus for punitive measures, creating an anomaly in international law that still sparks debate.
While its design aimed to avoid institutional paralysis, it also introduced an imbalance in multilateral governance. The mechanism’s legitimacy has since come under scrutiny. Iran argues that the US forfeited its right to invoke the snapback after its 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA.
Ultimately, the revival of the snapback debate underscores how legal instruments can evolve into tools of power politics. Especially as the world’s security order grows increasingly fragmented.
Reference
Villar, X. (2025, October 17). Iran snapback row exposes cracks in shifting global order. Asia Times. https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/iran-snapback-row-exposes-cracks-in-shifting-global-order/