The United Nations is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran after the Islamic Republic failed to convince Western powers that it would address their concerns over its nuclear program. The move escalates tensions between Tehran and the West, coming after the United Kingdom, Germany, and France triggered a “snapback” process last month. The process gave Iran a 30-day window to meet their conditions or face the reinstatement of international sanctions. The deadline expires Saturday night.
A Russian- and Chinese-sponsored UN Security Council resolution seeking to extend the timeframe failed on Friday, with only four of the 15 council members voting in favor.
The European powers, known collectively as the E3, demanded that Iran restart talks with the United States, resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and clarify the status of its 408-kilogram stockpile of uranium enriched near weapons-grade levels. Despite last-minute talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week, no progress was made to restart negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The E3 also expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s reluctance to allow IAEA inspections of its main nuclear sites.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, this week rejected negotiating with the United States under current conditions, calling it a signal of “surrender” that would “disgrace” the Islamic Republic. Iranian officials have blamed the US and European powers for the lack of diplomatic progress.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran would respond to the sanctions but would not leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), despite calls from hardliners. “Certain people inside the country think that we certainly should leave the NPT, but the supreme leadership held steadfast, and that’s our official policy,” he said. He added that Iran would reconsider its stance only after the snapback mechanism is implemented.
The snapback mechanism is part of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and world powers including the E3, the United States, Russia, and China. The accord has been under strain since former US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned it, imposing waves of sanctions. In response, Iran expanded its nuclear program and stockpiled uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, near weapons-grade levels.
Iran has accused the European powers of failing to fulfill their commitments under the 2015 deal, which promised sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. Tehran has already been struggling under severe US sanctions that have restricted its access to global finance and heavily impacted its economy.
Earlier this year, indirect negotiations between Iran and the Trump administration were derailed when Israel launched a 12-day attack on Iranian facilities, two days before a planned sixth round of US-Iran talks. The attacks, which included US participation, significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program but did not destroy it entirely. In response, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, although a preliminary agreement on a new modality of inspections was reached this month. European diplomats say this does not meet the requirement for access to major nuclear sites.
Pezeshkian highlighted the depth of mistrust between Iran and the US, saying, “Every step that we take forward, they [US] take two steps back and add more conditions. First show us your sincerity and your goodwill and we will take two steps towards you.”
Iran Condemns ‘Unlawful’ Sanctions Activation
On Sunday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the reactivation of UN sanctions through the snapback mechanism. Tehran described the move by the E3 and the United States as “unlawful and unfounded,” arguing that UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and its provisions concerning Iran’s peaceful nuclear program had terminated as scheduled.
The ministry accused the European powers of failing to fulfill their JCPOA obligations, abusing the deal’s dispute settlement process, and supporting military actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Tehran said these actions violate international law, the UN Charter, and the non-proliferation regime, and reflect “gross and continuous violations” of the JCPOA carried out in bad faith.
The reimposition of sanctions is expected to further strain relations between Iran and Western nations, complicating efforts to prevent nuclear escalation in the Middle East.
