Britain, France, and Germany have triggered the return of sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council, based on accusations that Tehran violated a 2015 deal designed to prevent it from developing a nuclear bomb. Iran maintains that it is not seeking nuclear weapons.
The collapse of the decade-long nuclear agreement, originally made with Iran, Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and China, is expected to aggravate tensions in the Middle East, coming shortly after Israel and the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
UN sanctions imposed by Security Council resolutions between 2006 and 2010 were officially reinstated at 8 pm EDT on Saturday. Efforts to delay the return of all sanctions on Iran failed on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN this week.
“We urge Iran and all states to abide fully by these resolutions,” the foreign ministers of France, Britain, and Germany declared in a joint statement after the deadline passed.
European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed in a Sunday statement that the bloc would “now proceed to implement the re-imposition of all previously lifted UN and EU nuclear-related sanctions without delay.”
Israel hailed the reimposition of sanctions on its main adversary as a “major development,” citing what it termed Tehran’s ongoing violations regarding the nuclear programme. “The goal is clear: prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. The world must use every tool to achieve this goal,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X.
Tehran Denounces ‘Unjustifiable’ Sanctions Return
Iran on Sunday condemned as “unjustifiable” the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme, following the breakdown of talks with Western nations and the recent Israeli and US strikes on its facilities.
“The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable… all countries must refrain from recognising this illegal situation,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will firmly defend its national rights and interests, and any action aimed at undermining the rights and interests of its people will face a firm and appropriate response.”
Tehran had allowed UN inspectors to return to its nuclear sites, but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated the United States only offered a short reprieve in exchange for Iran handing over its entire stockpile of enriched uranium, a proposal he described as unacceptable.
A last-minute attempt by Iran’s allies, Russia and China, to postpone the sanctions until April failed to secure enough votes in the Security Council on Friday, leading the measures to take effect at 3:30 am in Tehran (5 am PKT) on Sunday.
Germany, which triggered the sanctions return alongside Britain and France, had “no choice” as Iran was not complying with its obligations, according to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. “For us, it is imperative: Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon,” he told the UN General Assembly. “But let me emphasise: we remain open to negotiations on a new agreement. Diplomacy can and should continue.”
Iran Recalls Ambassadors and Defends Stance
Tehran has warned of a harsh response to the reimposition of sanctions. Iran announced on Saturday it was recalling its ambassadors to Britain, France, and Germany for consultations. However, Iranian President Pezeshkian stated on Friday that Iran has no intention of leaving the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Russia has disputed the legality of the UN sanctions return.
“It is unlawful, and it cannot be implemented,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the UN earlier on Saturday, adding he had written to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, warning that it would be “a major mistake” for him to acknowledge the return of UN sanctions on Iran.
The European powers had offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to create space for talks on a long-term deal, provided Iran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors, addressed concerns about its enriched uranium stock, and engaged in talks with the United States.
“Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy,” the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany said, urging Iran to “return to compliance.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that President Donald Trump has been clear that diplomacy is still an option for Iran and a deal remains the best outcome. “For that to happen, Iran must accept direct talks, held in good faith, without stalling or obfuscation,” Rubio said, adding that until a new deal is reached, it is important for countries to implement sanctions “immediately in order to pressure Iran’s leaders.”
Rial Plummets to Record Low
Iran’s economy is already under severe pressure from crippling US sanctions reimposed since 2018 after Trump withdrew from the pact during his first term.
Iran’s currency, the rial, continued to weaken over fears of new sanctions. The rial fell to 1,123,000 per US dollar, a new record low, on Saturday, down from about 1,085,000 on Friday, according to foreign exchange websites, including Bon-bast.com.
With the return of UN sanctions, Iran will again be subject to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, as well as any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
Other sanctions being reimposed include a travel ban on dozens of Iranian citizens, asset freezes on dozens of people and entities, and a ban on the supply of anything that could be used in the nation’s nuclear programme.
All countries are authorised to seize and dispose of any items banned under UN sanctions, and Iran will be prohibited from acquiring any interest in commercial activity in another country involving uranium mining, production, or use of nuclear materials and technology.
