UN sanctions on Iran to resume over nuclear activity

The United Nations’ sweeping economic and military sanctions are set to be reimposed on Iran, ten years after being lifted under a landmark nuclear agreement.

The move follows a letter from the UK, France and Germany to the UN Security Council last month accusing Iran of breaching its obligations. That triggered a mechanism giving Tehran 30 days to find a diplomatic solution, which expired without result.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the renewed sanctions as “unfair, unjust, and illegal.” A last-minute resolution led by China and Russia to delay the move for six months gained only four votes in the 15-member council. The sanctions will take effect from 00:00 GMT on Sunday.

Iran ramped up proscribed nuclear activity after the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2016, with then-President Donald Trump branding it flawed. Following Israeli and US airstrikes in June on several Iranian nuclear and military sites, Tehran barred IAEA inspectors from accessing its facilities.

Speaking at the UN this week, President Pezeshkian insisted his country does not seek to build a nuclear bomb. He accused foreign powers of looking for a pretext to destabilise the region but said Iran would remain within the Non-Proliferation Treaty provided it receives guarantees against Israeli attacks.

The sanctions package includes:

an arms embargo

a ban on uranium enrichment

restrictions on ballistic missile activity linked to nuclear weapons

asset freezes and travel bans on Iranian figures and entities

authority for countries to inspect Iran Air and Iran Shipping Lines cargo

Unless a breakthrough emerges, UN sanctions will come into effect first, followed by EU measures next week.

On Friday, the IAEA confirmed that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites had resumed after a hiatus caused by the airstrikes. Western powers and the UN watchdog remain unconvinced that Iran’s programme is purely civilian.

Meanwhile, Russia signed a $25 billion deal with Tehran to construct four nuclear reactors in southern Iran, state news agency IRNA reported.