Nuclear dispute: What does the “Snapback” mechanism mean for Iran?

In the dispute over the Iranian nuclear program, Germany, France and Great Britain trigger a mechanism to reintroduce UN sanctions. The European Foreign Minister of the Government in Tehran had threatened that no diplomatic solution in the nuclear dispute should be found by the end of August. Answers to central questions:

What are the consequences of old UN sanctions against Iran?

Iran is already proven with hard sanctions, which are primarily aimed at the energy sector of the oil and gas-rich country. In addition, the country is largely cut off from international payments. The sanctions have plunged the state into a severe economic crisis with its almost 90 million inhabitants, which in particular meets the poor population.

The Snapback mechanism would put old UN sanctions such as the general weapon embargo and numerous punitive measures against individuals and organizations and close some loopholes. What specific consequences this would have is unclear. The economic effects on Iran are likely to remain limited, since Tehran is already under a variety of far-reaching and harmful US secondary sanctions, according to an analysis by the Washington Institute.

However, experts assume that the sanctions should continue to isolate Iran internationally. Because of the hard punishment measures, Tehran has already expanded its economic and military relationships with Russia and China. Beijing is – albeit unofficially – the most important buyer of Iranian oil. The West is likely to increase the pressure on China to further restrict trade with the Islamic Republic.

Why is the Iranian nuclear program so controversial internationally?

For decades, the West has been a dispute with the Islamic Republic of Iran over its nuclear program. Israel, the United States and European countries, accuse the Iranian government of striving for nuclear weapons. Tehran officially denies this. The Iranian leadership also indicates a Fatwa, a religious legal opinion by head of state Ajatollah Ali Chamenei, according to which weapons of mass destruction are prohibited.

Western states were particularly concerned about the recently increased uranium enrichment. According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran had more than 400 kilograms of uranium with a purity degree of 60 percent before the State of Israeli war against the country. The war started on June 13th and lasted twelve days.

Over 90 percent are required for the construction of nuclear weapons. IAEA boss Rafael Grossi emphasized several times that Iran was the only state without nuclear weapons that produces almost weaponable material. The IAEA also criticized unexplained questions from its nuclear guards.

What role does Europe play with Iran in the nuclear dispute?

In addition to the USA, Russia and China, Germany, France and Great Britain are co-signers from the Vienna Nuclear Agreement in 2015. The deal provided for a limitation of Iranian uranium enrichment to a maximum of 3.67 percent and strict surveillance. In return, the country was promised to abolish hard sanctions.

During his first term, US President Donald Trump unilaterally terminated the agreement that had been signed under his predecessor Barack Obama. At the same time, Trump had new and harder sanctions imposed on Iran. The hoped -for sanctions and the economic upswing failed to materialize. As a result, Iran’s leadership no longer adhered to the editions of the deal.

The Europeans no longer played a major role in the last negotiations. Instead, Washington and Tehran negotiated a good two months before the Israeli war against the country, with the mediation of the Gulf State of Oman. However, the E3 countries (Germany, France, Great Britain) can exert diplomatic pressure as co-signers of the Vienna Atomic deal.

How does the snapback mechanism work?

The Snapback mechanism serves to be able to prove Iran again with sanctions if his obligations are not complied with in the context of the Vienna atomic deal. After the agreement is no longer implemented, Tehran criticized this measure as illegitimate.

This mechanism was anchored in a UN resolution in 2015. He practically does not provide a blockade option for countries like Russia or China. After the Snapback in the UN Security Council has been triggered, a resolution to continue the previous sanctions is initially planned. However, a majority among the 15 members of the committee are considered excluded.

If such a decision does not come about for 30 days, the earlier UN sanctions from 2006 to 2010 are again taking effect-without further coordination. However, the E3 or the Security Council can stop or delay the snapback if Iran turns out within this period.