On October 4, 2024, a report from the UK Parliament highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the Iranian regime’s nuclear program and reaffirmed that the re-imposition of sanctions under the “snapback” mechanism remains a viable option. The briefing reviewed the status of Tehran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was initially agreed upon in 2015. Despite the deal’s expiration not set until October 2025, recent developments have put renewed pressure on the regime’s nuclear activities.
A crucial turning point occurred on October 18, 2023, when all remaining UN nuclear-related sanctions under Security Council Resolution 2231 expired, lifting restrictions on the regime’s ballistic missile program and sensitive nuclear technologies. However, Tehran’s continuous violations of its JCPOA commitments, including enriching uranium far beyond agreed limits, have prompted the UK, France, and Germany (the E3) to transfer these sanctions into their domestic legal frameworks. They have committed to maintaining these sanctions and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In light of @iaeaorg BoG resolution on the #Iranian regime's misconduct and failure to cooperate with the @UN watchdog, it's crucial to revisit over 3 decades of secretive activities and the NCRI's constant efforts to prevent a nuclear-armed pariah state.https://t.co/EiJenAsaiU https://t.co/lvD6qbumiY pic.twitter.com/qcXZLwOPO7
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 5, 2024
Despite the Iranian regime’s claims that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other global powers have raised alarms about Iran’s increased uranium enrichment, which now stands at 60%, well beyond the 3.67% limit set by the JCPOA. In 2024, the IAEA estimated that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium could potentially provide enough material for four nuclear weapons if further enriched to 90%.
The UK Parliament’s report emphasized that the snapback mechanism, which allows the re-imposition of UN sanctions if Tehran significantly breaches its JCPOA obligations, is still on the table. The E3 nations reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, with snapback sanctions serving as a critical tool should diplomatic efforts fail.
BREAKING: @A_Jafarzadeh @NCRIUS — the dissident group that exposed Iran’s secret nuclear site at Natanz in 2002 — today discloses a wealth of detail about the regime’s drone program, said to be critical to its military and terror operations. Full report to come. pic.twitter.com/1QtSzodqam
— James Rosen (@JamesRosenTV) October 6, 2021