An unidentified speaker briefed the United Nations Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 2231, saying France, Germany and the United Kingdom notified the Council on Aug. 28, 2025 of their intention to trigger the resolution's snapback mechanism and that previously terminated measures were reapplied on Sept. 27, 2025.

"On 28 August 2025, France, Germany, and The United Kingdom, referred to as the E3 states, notified the council of their intention to trigger the snapback mechanism of Resolution 2231," the speaker said, and added that, because the Council did not adopt a resolution to continue the termination of measures within 30 days, sanctions were reinstated.

The briefing summarized competing positions among member states: several rejected the validity and effect of the snapback process, arguing it was procedurally and legally flawed, while others supported the E3's action. The speaker said member states expressed "different viewpoints regarding the status of the resolution in the aftermath of 27 September."

The speaker also cited the International Atomic Energy Agency's reporting, saying that in its latest (Dec. 2025) report the IAEA recalled that Iran "had stopped implementing its nuclear related commitments under the JCPOA as of 5 February 2021." The Agency, the briefing said, "has verified that during this period, Iran has exceeded the limits on its nuclear program as stipulated in the JCPOA." The speaker further relayed the IAEA's Oct. 18, 2025 statement that it "had no information on the status of the stockpiles of enriched uranium in Iran."

The briefing noted the IAEA's view that "a commonly agreed framework with the support of countries concerned was necessary to ensure that Iran's nuclear program was exclusively peaceful," and that the Director General was "ready to engage with Iran at the earliest opportunity to work constructively to this end."

Regarding the restrictive measures in Annex B to Resolution 2231 (those pertaining to nuclear activities and transfers), the Secretariat reported it did not receive allegations of violations during the reporting period and that no new procurement proposals were submitted through the procurement channel. The Council also received six notifications regarding nuclear-related restrictive measures consistent with the JCPOA.

The briefing closed with the speaker saying that, despite significant differences among parties about the way forward, all continued to emphasize the importance of a diplomatic solution and expressed readiness to engage. "A negotiated settlement that would secure the overall objectives of ensuring a peaceful Iranian nuclear program and providing sanctions relief is the best option available to the international community," the speaker said. The Secretariat, the briefing added, "remains at full disposal of the parties in the pursuit of these objectives."