US' Pompeo Expects 'Snapback' Sanctions On Iran Soon

Speaking alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he expected to have 'snapback' sanctions in place against Iran 'soon'.

• This follows the rejection of a US plan to extend the arms embargo against Iran by the UN Security Council.
• The US is now seeking to trigger a 'snapback' of full UN sanctions against Iran under a provision of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, or the 'Iran nuclear deal').
• If implemented, these sanctions would prohibit Iran from engaging in any nuclear enrichment, extending to a ban on R&D surrounding enrichment or the import of any equipment needed for uranium enrichment. The arms embargo would also be reimposed.
• To bring in these sanctions, the US has to submit a complaint about a breach of the JCPOA by Iran to the Security Council. There would then be a vote within 30 days on whether to extend relief on Iranian sanctions.
• However, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has raised doubts over the US' ability to implement 'snapback' sanctions, with his spokesman quoted as saying "Given that the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and has not participated in any JCPOA structures or activities subsequently, the US cannot be considered as a JCPOA participant. We therefore consider that the US is not in a position to resort to mechanisms reserved for JCPOA participants."