UN Sanctions Set to Return to Iran Amid Nuclear Concerns
VIENNA – United Nations sanctions against Iran are poised to be reinstated after failing to secure a diplomatic resolution regarding it’s nuclear programme,a move that will be followed by the reimposition of European Union sanctions next week.The impending sanctions come as talks between Iran and Western powers remain stalled,raising concerns about the future of the 2015 nuclear deal and the potential for further escalation.
The reinstatement of sanctions marks a significant setback for efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear activities and underscores a deepening rift between Iran and the international community.The move will cripple Iran’s already strained economy, impacting its citizens and possibly destabilizing the region. Unless a breakthrough is achieved, the sanctions will further limit Iran’s access to global trade and finance, escalating tensions and complicating future negotiations.
European foreign ministers had urged Iran to resume negotiations with the United States, cooperate with the International Atomic Energy agency (IAEA), and provide a full accounting of its enriched uranium stockpile. Though, Iranian Foreign minister Abbas Aragchi, speaking at the UN on Friday, accused the United States of undermining diplomacy and blamed Britain, Germany, and france for its failure. “The United States has betrayed diplomacy, but it is indeed the E3 which have buried it,” Aragchi stated. “The negotiation with the United States is actually a pure dead end.”
Iran is obligated under the nuclear treaty to allow IAEA inspections, and talks were held this week to find a path forward. However,Iran has warned that the return of sanctions will jeopardize these inspections. The IAEA confirmed Friday that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites had resumed this week following a hiatus linked to recent strikes by Washington and Israel.
Western powers and the IAEA have expressed skepticism about the purely peaceful intentions of Iran’s nuclear program.Iran maintains its program is solely for civilian purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Amidst the escalating tensions, Russia and Iran signed a $25 billion deal Friday to construct four nuclear power reactors in southern Iran, as reported by Iranian state-run news agency IRNA.
