In a decisive move on Saturday evening, the United Nations Security Council [revived a range of sanctions](https://x.com/UN_News_Centre/status/1972043574490398732) against Iran following a determination of Tehran's significant non-adherence to its nuclear commitments. The sanctions, reactivated under the snapback clause of [UN Security Council Resolution 2231](https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2231(2015)), which supported the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), come as a response to what is seen as critical violations by Iran.

The reinstatement mechanism of the JCPOA, engineered to bypass vetoes from permanent Council members, was triggered after a JCPOA participant nation flagged Iran's non-compliance. As stipulated, the sanctions automatically resumed after a 30-day notification period, during which the Council did not vote to continue relief.

This action concluded after [a failed attempt at diplomacy](https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165968) at the latest UN Security Council meeting. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi offered limited access to enrichment sites in a last-minute bid to avoid sanctions. However, European leaders demanded more stringent conditions, including unrestricted access for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, a full disclosure of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, and direct negotiations with the United States.

The re-imposition marks the activation of the snapback mechanism, first [initiated by France, Britain, and Germany](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e3-joint-statement-on-iran-initiation-of-the-snapback-process) on August 28. The sanctions reinstate a uranium enrichment ban, restrict ballistic missile activities, reapply an arms embargo, and reimpose travel bans and asset freezes on numerous Iranian individuals and entities. Additionally, they authorize states to confiscate any prohibited cargo transferred by Iran, including conventional arms.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio [expressed support](https://www.state.gov/releases/2025/09/completion-of-un-sanctions-snapback-on-iran/) for the snapback, emphasizing that the international community will not tolerate non-compliance or partial commitments. In contrast, Iran has labeled the sanctions as "illegal, void, and lacking any standing," arguing that the US's withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 renders these measures invalid. Minister Araghchi also highlighted Iran’s [recent cooperation](https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/07/iran-to-cooperate-with-the-un-nuclear-watchdog-despite-security-concerns/) with the IAEA, though he noted that the path of diplomacy has now become significantly more challenging.

The enforcement of these revived sanctions will likely see mixed responses globally. European nations have signaled their intent to comply, whereas [Russia and China have declared](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn452LPs_a0) non-recognition of the snapback's legitimacy, indicating continued trade engagements with Iran, especially in crucial sectors like energy and defense.

For more details, visit the [JURIST report](https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/09/un-security-council-revives-iran-sanctions-after-breaches-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty).