UN sanctions against Iran to resume over banned nuclear activity

1 day ago Share Save Lyse Doucet Chief international correspondent, in New York and Raffi Berg Share Save

EPA Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke at the UN General Assembly

The United Nations’ sweeping economic and military sanctions look set to be reimposed on Iran a decade after they were lifted in a landmark international deal over its nuclear programme. It comes after the UK, France and Germany wrote to the UN Security Council last month, accusing Iran of failing to fulfil its commitments. That triggered a mechanism giving Iran 30 days to find a diplomatic solution to avert renewed sanctions. Tehran has now recalled its ambassadors to the UK, France and Germany in response, Iranian state media reports. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the re-imposition of international sanctions as “unfair, unjust, and illegal”.

He has rejected a US demand to hand over all of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium in return for a three-month exemption from sanctions, Pezeshkian added. “Why would we put ourselves in such a trap and have a noose around our neck each month?” the president asked rhetorically as he left New York for Tehran on Saturday – days after addressing the UN General Assembly. Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and blamed the US and Israel for intensifying pressure to try to bring down the Islamic republic. A last-minute resolution to delay the move by six months, led by China and Russia, only received four votes in the 15-member council. The sanctions are set to come into force at 00:00 GMT on Sunday. Iran stepped up banned nuclear activity after the US quit the deal in 2016. Donald Trump pulled the US out in his first term as president, criticising the deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama, as flawed. Iran barred inspectors the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, from accessing its nuclear facilities after Israel and the US bombed several of its nuclear sites and military bases in June. That was after negotiations between the US and Iran to try to reach a new nuclear deal became deadlocked. What are the risks of bombing Iran’s nuclear sites? President Pezeshkian told the UN this week that his country would never seek to build a nuclear bomb. Speaking to a group of journalists, he accused foreign powers of seeking a superficial pretext to set the region ablaze, insisting that, despite previous threats, Iran would not quit the Non-Proliferation Treaty. But he added that Tehran would need reassurances that its nuclear facilities would not be attacked by Israel in order to normalise its nuclear enrichment programme. Pezeshkian kept pointing to the negotiations which had taken place before the nuclear sites were bombed in June, and accused the Americans of not taking the talks seriously. The sanctions add yet more strain to an already fraught situation. They include: an arms embargo

a ban on uranium enrichment

a ban on activity connected to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons

a freeze of assets and a travel ban on Iranian figures and entities

authorisation of countries to inspect Iran Air and Iran Shipping Lines cargo

Reuters Sanctions crippled Iran’s economy before they were lifted under the 2015 deal

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The UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, lifted under a landmark 2015 deal, went back into force on Sept 27.

UNITED NATIONS/UNITED STATES – A raft of UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme , lifted under a landmark 2015 deal, went back into force late on Sept 27 .

The sanctions were reimposed because the “E3“ European group – Britain, France and Germany – triggered a mechanism in the deal alleging Tehran was not meeting its obligations.

Here are some key facts about the so-called “snapback” process:

What do the sanctions target?

The sanctions target companies, organisations and individuals that contribute directly or indirectly to Iran’s nuclear programme or the development of its ballistic missiles.

Providing necessary equipment, expertise, or funding are all grounds for sanctions.

Swathe of the economy affected

The sanctions include an embargo on conventional weapons with the prohibition of any sale or transfer of arms to Iran.

Imports, exports or transfers of parts and technologies related to the nuclear and ballistic programme will be prohibited.

The assets of entities and individuals abroad belonging to Iranian persons or groups linked to the nuclear programme will be frozen.

Individuals designated as participating in prohibited nuclear activities may be banned from travelling to UN member states.

UN member states will be required to restrict access to banking and financial facilities that could help Iran’s nuclear or ballistic programmes.

Anyone violating the sanctions regime could see their assets frozen worldwide

The EU had its own sanctions

Separate measures by the European Union could now be reimposed alongside the core, global sanctions.

Their goal was to hit the Iranian economy, not only to hamper nuclear activity but also to inflict fiscal pain to force Tehran to comply.

Western nations fear Iran will acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran vehemently denies seeking such weapons while defending its right to develop a nuclear programme for civilian purposes.

The United States already imposes its own sanctions, including ones to prohibit other countries from buying Iranian oil, after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in his first term.

How does ‘snapback’ take effect?

The “snapback” process reactivates UN resolutions, but their practical implementation requires UN member states to update their laws to comply.

It will be up to the EU and Britain to pass legislation so that the sanctions can be enforced, but neither has given details on that process.

How are sanctions enforced?

The UN Security Council resolutions and the associated sanctions are binding – but are regularly violated.

The big question is whether countries like China and Russia, which consider the triggering of the “snapback” illegal, might decide not to comply.

Some countries, including China, continued to trade with Iran despite the presence of US sanctions.

The European powers expect Russia will not comply with the sanctions but are unclear about how China, which imports a significant amount of oil from Iran, might react.

“There is a cost to circumventing sanctions, a political cost, but also a financial and economic cost because financial transactions become more expensive,” said Dr Clement Therme, an associate researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies linked to Sorbonne University.

Shipping companies are one example of businesses that will feel the pinch.

“In the case of UN sanctions, we probably won’t see a full blockade, but rising costs instead,” Dr Therme added. AFP

Comprehensive UN economic and military sanctions have been reimposed on Iran – 10 years after they were lifted in a landmark international agreement over its nuclear program.

The new measures came into effect after the deal’s three European partners – the United Kingdom, France and Germany – activated the so-called “snapback” mechanism, accusing Iran of “continued nuclear escalation” and lack of cooperation.

Iran suspended inspections of its nuclear facilities – a legal obligation under the terms of the 2015 deal – after Israel and the US bombed several of its nuclear sites and military bases in June.

Its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, insisted last week that the country had no intention of developing nuclear weapons.

The reinstatement of sanctions – which Pezeshkian described as “unjust and illegal” – is the latest blow to an agreement that was heralded as a turning point in Western relations with the long-isolated Islamist nation when it was first reached.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) places restrictions on Iran’s nuclear facilities, its stockpile of enriched uranium, and the amount of research and development it can undertake.

It aims to allow Iran to develop its nuclear energy infrastructure without straying towards nuclear weapons production.

Iran increased its banned nuclear activity after Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal during his first term as president in 2016.

He has repeatedly criticized the deal, negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama, as flawed, vowing to negotiate better terms.

The bombing of nuclear facilities by the US and Israel in June was intended to thwart some of Iran’s nuclear progress, as well as punish it for arming regional proxies that have repeatedly attacked Israel.

While Trump said these had caused “monumental damage,” others cast doubt on the extent to which they had hindered Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran stressed that the attacks “fundamentally changed the situation” and made international support for the nuclear deal “obsolete.”

European allies that remain party to the agreement still hope that the negotiations will bring a reduction in tensions.

“We call on Iran to refrain from any escalating actions,” they said in a joint statement, adding: “The reinstatement of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy.”

Talks between the three countries and Iran on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly earlier this week failed to produce an agreement that would have delayed the reimposition of sanctions.

The “E3” foreign ministers said they had “no other choice” but to activate the return procedure, as Iran had “repeatedly violated” its commitments.

They cited Iran’s failure to “take the necessary actions to address our concerns, nor to meet our requests for an extension, despite extensive dialogue.”

Specifically, they cited Tehran’s refusal to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). /Telegraph/

Sanctions reimposed on Iran 10 years after landmark nuclear deal

1 hour ago Share Save Stuart Lau Share Save

Reuters UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, alongside her French and German counterparts, urged Iran against “escalatory action”

Sweeping UN economic and military sanctions have been reimposed on Iran – 10 years after they were lifted in a landmark international deal over its nuclear programme. The new measures took effect as the three European partners to the deal – the UK, France and Germany – activated the so-called “snapback” mechanism, accusing Iran of “continued nuclear escalation” and lack of co-operation. Iran suspended inspections of its nuclear facilities – a legal obligation under the terms of the 2015 deal – after Israel and the US bombed several of its nuclear sites and military bases in June. Its President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted last week that the country had no intention of developing nuclear weapons.

The reintroduction of sanctions – which Pezeshkian described as “unfair, unjust, and illegal” – is the latest blow to a deal that was heralded as a turning point in Western relations with the long-ostracised Islamist nation when it was first struck. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) places limits on Iran’s nuclear installations, its stockpiles of enriched uranium, and the amount of research and development it can undertake. It aims to allow Iran to develop its nuclear power infrastructure without straying into making nuclear weaponry. Iran stepped up its banned nuclear activity after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement during his first term as president in 2016. He has persistently criticised the deal, negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama, as flawed, vowing to negotiate better terms. The US and Israeli bombing of nuclear facilities in June was intended to reverse some of Iran’s nuclear progress, as well as punish it for arming regional proxies that have repeatedly attacked Israel. While Trump said these had caused “monumental damage”, others cast doubt on the extent to which they had hindered Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran said the strikes “fundamentally changed the situation” and rendered international support for the nuclear deal “obsolete”.

Maxar Technologies/Getty A satellite image shows the Arak heavy water reactor before it was hit by an Israeli strike

Iran disputes the legality of the snapback and vows to remain in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

10 years after the United Nations lifted sweeping sanctions on Iran under a landmark nuclear deal, those measures are expected to return on Saturday evening.

The “snapback” of sanctions follows a decision by the European group known as the “E3”, Britain, France and Germany, which accused Tehran of failing to uphold its commitments.

Western nations and Israel have long alleged that Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, an accusation the country has consistently denied.

How does the snapback system operate?

In 2015, Iran reached a major nuclear agreement with the United States, the E3, China and Russia. This deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was endorsed by the UN Security Council under resolution 2231.

The accord removed international sanctions in exchange for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. Resolution 2231, which is due to expire on 18 October, contains a special clause that allows any signatory to demand the automatic return of sanctions if another participant seriously breaches the agreement.

If a state believes one party has failed to meet the terms, it can notify the Security Council. That notification triggers a 30-day period, after which sanctions come back into force unless the Council agrees to keep them lifted.

Why have the Europeans acted now?

On 28 August, the E3 countries set the snapback in motion, criticising Iran for breaking several of its JCPOA commitments. Among the breaches was the accumulation of uranium stockpiles, which they said had reached more than 40 times the permitted limit.

The 2015 deal has been weakening for years. In 2018, the United States, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Since then, Tehran has steadily reduced its compliance and expanded its nuclear programme.

The situation worsened after the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, during which the United States also bombed Iranian nuclear sites. That conflict halted ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which had restarted in April, and led Iran to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Earlier this month, Iran reached a new agreement with the IAEA. On Friday, Tehran confirmed that inspectors from the Vienna-based organisation had resumed their activities inside the country.

What is Iran’s position?

European nations argue they “have unambiguous legal grounds” to trigger the snapback. Iran strongly disputes this.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the move was “legally void, (and) politically reckless,” pointing out that Iran had presented several proposals to ease the crisis.

President Masoud Pezeshkian also stated on Friday that Tehran would not withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, even if sanctions were brought back.

What effect would sanctions have?

The return of sanctions would mean global restrictions on ballistic missile technology, arms, nuclear equipment, and banking, all of which were lifted a decade ago, would come into force again.

Ali Vaez, project director for Iran at the International Crisis Group, said that snapback “will add to the burden of Iran’s economy, which already is in a difficult position”.

But he added that “their impact will depend on how much of the sweeping measures they provide on paper is reflected in enforcement”, noting that China and Russia might “try to stymie their execution”.

Kelsey Davenport, an expert at the Arms Control Association, said that “the UN measures will have little economic impact, given the breadth of US and EU sanctions already in place against Iran”.

She also warned that bringing back sanctions “without a negotiating process in place risks Iran and the United States getting caught in an escalatory tit-for-tat”.