(August 28, 2025)

The JCPOA was concluded in July 2015 between Iran and permanent Council members China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US, as well as Germany (collectively known as the P5+1), and unanimously endorsed by the Council through resolution 2231. The agreement placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for relief from UN sanctions, which the Council had imposed between 2006 and 2010. The restrictions were scheduled to progressively expire over time, culminating in the “termination day” of 18 October 2025, when the Council would end its consideration of the Iranian nuclear file.

The agreement also contained a provision—known as the “snapback” mechanism—allowing any JCPOA participant to reimpose UN sanctions in the event of “significant non-performance” by Iran. The snapback operates through a two-stage process anchored in both the JCPOA (articles 36–37) and resolution 2231 (operative paragraphs 11–13). If a participant considers another to be in “significant non-performance”, it may refer the matter to the JCPOA’s Joint Commission—which is coordinated by the European Union (EU)—and its Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM).