‘Snapback Mechanism’ & Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) | 18 Sep 2025

Source: DD India

Iran’s Foreign Minister is set to discuss the country's nuclear program with the UK, France, and Germany to avert the reimposition of international sanctions under the ‘snapback mechanism’, which were lifted under the 2015 JCPOA.

• The E3 (Britain, France, Germany) have invoked the 30-day snapback mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions, unless Iran restores UN nuclear inspector access to its nuclear sites and re-engages with the US.
• Snapback Mechanism: It allows any Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) participant, to reimpose UN sanctions if Iran commits “significant non-performance.” 
  • In such a case, the issue can be referred to the JCPOA Joint Commission, coordinated by the European Union (EU), and addressed through its Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM).
• Iran’s Cooperation with IAEA: Earlier, Iran agreed to resume cooperation with the IAEA, including nuclear site inspections, following a tense period in June when Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities led to a temporary suspension of inspections over security concerns.

JCPOA

• The Iran nuclear agreement (formally known as JCPOA), signed in July 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, UK, US, Germany).
• It required Iran to dismantle much of its nuclear program and allow extensive international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief.
• The U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 under President Trump, despite Iran's compliance with the agreement. 
• The Trump administration's 'maximum pressure' policy aimed to force Iran into renegotiating the deal, a request Iran rejected.