The Return of the Snapback Mechanism
On September 28, 2025, international attention returned to Iran as the much-debated “snapback” mechanism was activated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. This decision restores the full array of sanctions previously lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), with dire implications for Tehran, including bans on arms sales, restrictions on uranium enrichment, limitations on ballistic missile development, frozen overseas assets, and renewed travel bans for senior officials, reports 24brussels.
The Iranian economy, already battered from years of mismanagement and corruption, now braces for another significant shock. A further plunge in the national currency and inflation threatens to deepen the hardships faced by ordinary Iranians. In response to mounting domestic and international pressures, Iranian authorities have escalated their repression, recalling diplomatic envoys from Germany, France, and the UK, and hinting at a possible termination of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
As of midnight on September 28, 2025, UN sanctions, which had been suspended for a decade and provided the current regime the opportunity to enhance its nuclear capabilities and regional military activities, are now in full effect. Following the activation, Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), stated:
“The UN Security Council resolutions are essential to prevent the religious dictatorship from acquiring a nuclear bomb and must be enforced decisively. However she emphasized, The final solution is regime change by the Iranian people, and the right to resist against the regime of terror and massacre must be recognized.”
Executions at Record Levels: A Regime Under Siege from Within
The situation in Iran is compounded by alarming domestic unrest. Instead of addressing public discontent, the authorities have increased their crackdown on dissent. Reports from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) indicate that at least 27 executions occurred between September 14 and September 16 alone, bringing the total to more than 880 since March 21, 2025. This includes an unprecedented 190 executions between August 21 and September 20, marking the most significant rise in executions in the past 25 years of the current regime.
Over the last year, estimates suggest that approximately 1,850 individuals have faced execution, encompassing women, juvenile offenders, and political prisoners, often after unfair trials or on vague accusations such as “enmity against God.” This translates to an execution occurring every few hours in Iran.
These statistics underscore a regime increasingly reliant on violence to secure its power. Rather than projecting strength, this wave of brutality suggests profound insecurity, with authorities seemingly more focused on quelling domestic unrest than on navigating the effects of international sanctions.
A Democratic Opposition Rising on the World Stage
The NCRI, along with its primary faction, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), has organized major rallies that have captured international attention. On September 6 in Brussels, tens of thousands assembled to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the PMOI, urging European governments to align with the aspirations of the Iranian populace seeking regime change rather than supporting a regime that maintains power through executions and fear. The demonstration attracted prominent figures from Europe and beyond, amplifying the political significance of the opposition.
Simultaneously, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the NCRI hosted two high-profile events. Thousands of Iranian-Americans rallied in support of Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, advocating for a secular, democratic, and nuclear-free Iran. By foregrounding Tehran’s human rights violations and presenting a viable alternative, these gatherings established the NCRI not merely as an exiled opposition group, but as a legitimate political force with growing international support.
In her address to the United Nations, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi articulated the essence of this democratic vision:
“Our message for Iran’s future is simple: the sovereignty of the people—just these two words! The people’s republic. We want neither a mullah nor a Shah. The era of all forms of dictatorship, whether religious or monarchical, is over. We will not return to the past, and we have risen up against the current religious dictatorship. Let the world hear this today, in front of the United Nations: Tomorrow belongs to us. Victory belongs to us.”
The Convergence of Pressure: Why the Regime’s Days Appear Numbered
These interconnected dynamics illustrate a regime increasingly isolated and beleaguered. With external sanctions and internal dissent mounting, coupled with the rise of a credible opposition, the long-term viability of the current Iranian leadership appears in jeopardy. Historically, authoritarian regimes may seem resilient until they collapse, yet developments within Iran suggest that the current authorities are quickly exhausting both their time and options.