Iran Faces Reimposed UN Sanctions a decade After Nuclear Deal
NEW YORK – Ten years after the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, UN sanctions have been reimposed on Iran following a dispute over its nuclear programme and commitments under the agreement. The move, triggered by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – the remaining European parties to the deal - comes after negotiations to avert the sanctions’ reinstatement failed earlier this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The E3 nations stated they had “no choice” but to invoke the “snapback” procedure, citing “repeated breaches” of Iran’s commitments under the JCPOA. Specifically, they pointed to Tehran’s lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noting Iran had not authorized IAEA inspectors to regain access to nuclear sites, nor provided a report accounting for its stockpile of high-enriched uranium. While IAEA inspections have since resumed, the E3 nations emphasized that Iran had failed “to take the necesary actions to address our concerns, nor to meet our asks on extension, despite extensive dialog.”
The reimposition of sanctions follows US and Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June, which were intended to hinder Iran’s nuclear progress and retaliate for its support of regional proxies attacking Israel. While then-President Trump claimed the strikes caused “monumentual damage,” the extent of their impact on Iran’s nuclear program remains contested.
Iran responded to the strikes by declaring they “fundamentally changed the situation” and rendered international support for the nuclear deal “obsolete.” The Iranian foreign ministry has now condemned the reinstated sanctions as ”illegal” and “unjustifiable,” warning that “any action aimed at undermining the rights and interests of its people will face a firm and appropriate response.”
Despite the escalating tensions,European allies continue to express hope for a diplomatic resolution. In a joint statement, they asserted that “the reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy” and urged Iran to “refrain from any escalatory action.”
Iranian deputy Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (Pezeshkian) has indicated a willingness to negotiate, but has demanded assurances that Israel will not attack Iran’s nuclear facilities before Tehran will normalize its nuclear enrichment program. He also rejected a US proposal to surrender Iran’s entire enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for a temporary, three-month exemption from sanctions, questioning, “Why would we put ourselves in such a trap and have a noose around our neck each month?”
Western powers and the IAEA maintain skepticism regarding Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Israel welcomed the reinstatement of sanctions, calling it a “major development in response to Iran’s ongoing violations” and urging the international community to utilize “every tool” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
