UN Votes To Reimpose Sanctions On Iran Over Resurgent Nuclear Programme

The United Nations Security Council on Friday voted to reimpose deep economic sanctions on Iran, citing concerns over its resurgent nuclear programme. The decision came after pressure from European nations, triggering a strong response from Tehran.

Britain, France, and Germany, who are signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), argued that Iran has violated the terms of the deal, which was designed to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.

British ambassador Barbara Woodward urged Iran to take immediate action. She voted against a resolution that would have extended a suspension of sanctions but left open the possibility for diplomatic talks at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

Iran’s envoy to

the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned the vote, calling it “hasty, unnecessary and unlawful.” He said Iran would not recognise the new sanctions.

“Today’s action is hasty, unnecessary and unlawful. Iran recognizes no obligation to implement it,” Iravani said.

Earlier on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had made a “fair and balanced” proposal to European powers to avoid the return of sanctions, but talks have yet to yield results.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in an Israeli TV interview that he expected sanctions to be reinstated by the end of the month. However, the French ambassador to the UN said negotiations were still possible.

In a letter sent in mid-August, the European three accused Iran of breaking several commitments, including increasing its uranium stock to more than 40 times the allowed level under the JCPOA.

The Security Council vote was welcomed by Israel but opposed by countries including Algeria, China, Pakistan, and Russia.

Since the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, Iran has gradually abandoned its commitments and expanded its nuclear activities. Tensions increased further following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, which disrupted nuclear talks and led Iran to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran has warned it may leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if sanctions are reimposed through the JCPOA’s snapback mechanism.

(With inputs from AFP)