US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European foreign ministers have agreed on a deadline of August 31 for a nuclear deal with Iran, sparking tension over the future of sanctions. The “snapback” mechanism, which would automatically reimpose UN Security Council sanctions, is set to expire in October.
The agreement aims to pressure Tehran into reassessing its nuclear program, but Iran’s government has disputed the legality of re-imposing the sanctions. Iranian officials have warned they will withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the sanctions are triggered.
European officials view “snapback” as a negotiating tool and a fallback option if diplomacy fails. The US supports activating snapback, citing it as leverage in talks with Iran. However, Trump’s frustration over stalled negotiations has led him to push for direct talks with Tehran.
The development comes as tensions rise ahead of the UN Security Council presidency transfer from Russia to China in October. With only 30 days to activate “snapback,” the Europeans hope to conclude the process before the new presidency takes office.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/iran-snapback-sanctions-nuclear-deal