By A. Anderson, White House Correspondent
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a firm statement Thursday supporting the decision by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—collectively known as the E3—to initiate the “snapback” mechanism under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. The move aims to reimpose international sanctions on Iran in response to its continued violations of nuclear commitments outlined in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).
Rubio described the E3’s action as a “direct response to Iran’s continuing defiance” and praised the European allies for their leadership. “Snapback does not contradict our earnest readiness for diplomacy—it only enhances it,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the United States remains open to direct engagement with Tehran to pursue a peaceful resolution.
The snapback mechanism allows for the automatic reinstatement of previously lifted UN sanctions if a participating country believes Iran is in significant non-performance of its obligations. The E3 formally notified the UN Security Council of their intent, citing Iran’s stockpiling of highly enriched uranium and its refusal to allow full International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring.
Rubio’s statement aligns with the Biden-Trump administration’s broader strategy of reasserting pressure on Iran while leaving the door open for diplomacy. “We urge Iranian leaders to take the immediate steps necessary to ensure that their nation will never obtain a nuclear weapon; to walk the path of peace; and to, by extension, advance prosperity for the Iranian people,” he added.
Iranian officials condemned the move as “provocative and unjustified,” warning that it could derail future negotiations and lead to retaliatory measures. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on the E3 to reconsider their decision and accused them of undermining diplomatic progress.
The reactivation of snapback sanctions marks a pivotal moment in the international community’s efforts to curb nuclear proliferation. With the 30-day window now open, Iran faces mounting pressure to return to compliance or risk further isolation from global markets and institutions.
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