Britain, France, and Germany have initiated the return of sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council, based on accusations that Tehran violated a 2015 deal aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear bomb. Iran staunchly denies seeking nuclear weapons.
The termination of the decade-long nuclear agreement, initially forged with Iran, the P5+1, is likely to exacerbate tensions in the Middle East, coming just months after Israel and the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
UN sanctions, originally imposed by the Security Council between 2006 and 2010, were reinstated at 8 pm EDT on Saturday. Efforts to delay the return of the measures failed during 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 on Sunday 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 arch foe as a “major development,” citing what it termed Tehran’s ongoing violations of the nuclear programme. The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X: “The goal is clear: prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. The world must use every tool to achieve this goal.”
Tehran Denounces Sanctions and Vows Firm Response
Iran on Sunday condemned as “unjustifiable” the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme, following the collapse of talks with Western powers and the Israeli and US strikes on its sites.
The Iranian foreign ministry stated: “The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable… all countries must refrain from recognising this illegal situation.”
It added: “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.”
Though Tehran allowed UN inspectors back, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US had offered only a short reprieve in exchange for Iran handing over its entire stockpile of enriched uranium, a proposal he found unacceptable.
A last-minute bid by Iran’s allies, Russia and China, to postpone the sanctions until April failed to win 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.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany, which triggered the sanctions return alongside Britain and France, had “no choice” as Iran was not complying with its obligations. He told the UN General Assembly: “For us, it is imperative: Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.” However, he stressed: “We remain open to negotiations on a new agreement. Diplomacy can and should continue.”
Russia Disputes Legality as Iranian Currency Crashes
Tehran warned of a harsh response and announced Saturday it was recalling its ambassadors to Britain, France, and Germany for consultations. Despite this, President Pezeshkian said Iran had no intention of leaving the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Russia disputed the return of the UN sanctions as “unlawful, and it cannot be implemented,” with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warning the UN Secretary General that acknowledging the sanctions would be “a major mistake.”
The European powers had offered to delay sanctions for up to six months to allow for long-term talks if Iran restored access for UN inspectors, addressed concerns about its enriched uranium stock, and engaged with the United States.
The foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany insisted: “Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy,” urging Iran to “return to compliance.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this, stating that diplomacy is still an option but that Iran must “accept direct talks, held in good faith.” He emphasized the need for countries to implement sanctions “immediately in order to pressure Iran’s leaders.”
Iran’s economy, already reeling from crippling US sanctions reimposed after Trump ditched the pact in 2018, saw its currency further weaken. The Iranian rial fell to 1,123,000 per US dollar, a new record low, on Saturday.
With the return of UN sanctions, Iran is again subject to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, as well as activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The sanctions also include travel bans and asset freezes on dozens of Iranian citizens and entities.
