United Nations sanctions on Iran, which had been suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially came back into effect on Sunday following the activation of the “snapback” mechanism by Britain, France, and Germany.
The three European powers, signatories to the original accord, accused Iran of repeatedly breaching its commitments, including enriching uranium far beyond levels required for civilian purposes. They also pressed for the resumption of full inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
With no breakthrough achieved in last-minute diplomatic talks, the sanctions regime that was in place between 2006 and 2010 automatically resumed at midnight GMT. The measures include a broad arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, and a global freeze on assets linked to Iranian individuals and entities associated with nuclear or missile programs.
While the renewed sanctions are expected to worsen Iran’s already fragile economy—hit hard by long-standing U.S. measures—the scale of their impact remains uncertain.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany urged Iran to return to compliance with its safeguards obligations and warned against escalating tensions. They stressed that the reinstatement of sanctions “is not the end of diplomacy” and called on all UN member states to enforce the restrictions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the call for dialogue, saying President Donald Trump remained open to diplomacy. “A deal is still the best outcome for the Iranian people and the world,” he said, urging Tehran to engage in good faith.
Iran, however, strongly rejected the decision. On Saturday, Tehran announced it was recalling its ambassadors from Britain, France, and Germany for consultations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions as “irresponsible,” while parliament hardliners demanded tougher steps, including withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also dismissed prospects of negotiations with Washington, accusing the U.S. administration of lacking genuine commitment. President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking earlier at the UN General Assembly, admitted that his efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute had failed but expressed confidence that Iran could withstand the renewed pressure.
On Friday, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian proposal to extend talks and delay the sanctions snapback, effectively sealing their reimposition.