New York: The United Nations has reimposed sweeping economic and military sanctions on Iran, a decade after they were lifted under the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The new measures came into effect after the three European signatories to the deal – the UK, France, and Germany – activated the so-called “snapback” mechanism, accusing Iran of continued nuclear escalation and lack of cooperation.
The sanctions follow Iran’s suspension of inspections of its nuclear facilities, a legal obligation under the JCPOA, after US and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear and military sites in June. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted that the country had no intention of developing nuclear weapons, describing the sanctions as “unfair, unjust, and illegal.”
Background of the JCPOA and recent tensions
The JCPOA, signed in 2015, places strict limits on Iran’s nuclear facilities, enriched uranium stockpiles, and nuclear research and development, aiming to allow peaceful nuclear energy development without enabling weaponisation. The deal had been a major diplomatic achievement, restoring dialogue between Iran and the West.
Iran escalated its banned nuclear activities after former US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2016, repeatedly criticising it as flawed. The June airstrikes were intended by the US and Israel to reverse Iran’s nuclear progress and retaliate against Iranian support for regional proxies attacking Israel. While Trump claimed “monumental damage” had been inflicted, analysts remain sceptical about the impact on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran, in response, said the strikes “fundamentally changed the situation”, rendering international support for the JCPOA obsolete.
European powers call for diplomacy
Despite triggering sanctions, the European allies emphasised that diplomacy is not over. In a joint statement, they said: “We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory action. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy.”
Negotiations held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly earlier this week failed to produce a deal to delay sanctions. The E3 foreign ministers cited Iran’s repeated breaches of the JCPOA, including its refusal to allow IAEA inspectors access to nuclear sites and failure to provide reports on high-enriched uranium stockpiles.
While IAEA inspections had been suspended after the June strikes, the agency confirmed on Friday that inspections had resumed.
Iran’s response and future prospects
Iran has rejected the sanctions, calling them “illegal and unjustifiable”, and warned that any attempts to undermine its rights would face a “firm and appropriate response.” President Pezeshkian has softened previous threats to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but cautioned that renewed sanctions could jeopardise ongoing negotiations.
Tehran has also rejected US demands to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile for a temporary exemption from sanctions, insisting on security assurances that its nuclear sites will not be attacked by Israel before resuming normal operations.
Western powers and the IAEA remain unconvinced by Iran’s assurances that its nuclear programme is purely peaceful, keeping tensions high in the region.
Conclusion
The reimposition of UN sanctions marks a critical escalation in the Iran nuclear crisis, highlighting the fragility of international agreements and the ongoing tensions between Iran, Western powers, and Israel. While diplomacy continues, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional security dynamics remain at the forefront of global attention.