Key Facts
• France, Germany, and the UK initiated the ‘Snapback’ process on August 28, 2025.
• ‘Snapback’ revives UN sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Sanctions automatically resume unless a resolution to continue suspension is adopted within 30 days.
• Measures include freezing Iranian overseas assets and halting arms trade with Iran.
• Iran’s currency, the rial, hit a historic low against the US dollar after the announcement.
• The three nations proposed a six-month delay if Iran meets conditions like resuming US talks and allowing full IAEA inspections.
• The sanctions could severely impact Iran’s economy and regional stability.
Summary
France, Germany, and the UK have triggered the ‘Snapback’ mechanism, reinstating UN sanctions on Iran that were suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal. This decision follows Iran’s failure to meet the August 2025 deadline for compliance. The sanctions, set to resume automatically within 30 days unless a resolution is passed, include freezing Iranian overseas assets and halting arms trade. While the three nations offered a six-month delay if Iran fulfills conditions like resuming US negotiations and allowing full IAEA inspections, the move has already caused the Iranian rial to plummet to historic lows. The sanctions are expected to exacerbate Iran’s economic struggles and pose risks to Middle Eastern stability.
