WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch ‘Snap-Back’ Sanctions on Iran / Trump's Next Ukraine Move
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Aug 29, 2025 Elliot Kaufman and Kate Batchelder-Odell, both editorial page colleagues at the Wall Street Journal, delve into the rising pressure on Iran as U.S. allies enforce new sanctions due to nuclear violations. They discuss Iran's hostile responses and the potential fallout for global diplomacy. The conversation turns to Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine post-Trump's summit with Putin and Taiwan's bold decision to increase its defense budget against China. Expect insightful analysis on these geopolitical tensions!
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Europe Joins Snapback Effort
- Europe has finally agreed to trigger the snapback mechanism over Iran's nuclear violations, marking a major diplomatic shift.
- That alignment gives the U.S. a stronger multilateral basis to reimpose arms, missile, and enrichment bans on Iran.
Snapback Avoids Veto Gridlock
- The snapback process prevents Russia or China from vetoing reimposed sanctions by flipping the procedural burden.
- That design forces opponents to submit disapproval resolutions that can be vetoed by Western members instead.
Withdrawal Would Raise Severe Risks
- Iran may retaliate diplomatically or escalate by leaving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would hinder monitoring.
- Such a move would raise the risk of military strikes and isolate Iran further internationally.