UN Reimposes Arms Embargo and Sanctions on Iran Over Nuclear Program
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 28 (VoM): The United Nations has reinstated an arms embargo and sweeping sanctions on Iran after European powers triggered a process accusing Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear agreement. The move, which Iran has vowed to resist, marks a sharp escalation in international efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Britain, France, and Germany pressed the UN Security Council to restore sanctions after accusing Iran of breaching the deal designed to block it from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran continues to deny pursuing nuclear arms. The decade-long pact, originally signed by Iran, the US, China, Russia, and European powers, has effectively unraveled following repeated disputes and recent attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities by Israel and the US.
The UN measures initially imposed between 2006 and 2010 officially came back into effect on Saturday night. They include an arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, restrictions on ballistic missile activities, asset freezes, and travel bans on dozens of Iranian officials.
European leaders said the sanctions were necessary to “prevent a nuclear-armed Iran,” while stressing that diplomacy remains an option. “Our countries will continue to pursue negotiations, but Iran must return to full compliance,” the foreign ministers of France, Britain, and Germany said in a joint statement.
Israel welcomed the reimposition, calling it a “major development,” while Iran condemned the decision, recalling its ambassadors from the three European capitals. President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that Iran will not withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but warned of a strong response.
Russia rejected the UN move as “unlawful.” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Secretary-General António Guterres against recognizing the sanctions, describing it as a “major mistake.”
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy but stressed sanctions must be enforced immediately to pressure Tehran. “The goal is still a negotiated deal, but Iran must engage in direct talks in good faith,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s already fragile economy took another hit. The rial plunged to a record low of 1,123,000 per US dollar on Saturday, reflecting fears of further economic isolation.
With the reimposed sanctions, Iran is now barred from uranium-related activities and any role in global nuclear trade. All countries are authorized to seize banned materials linked to Iran’s nuclear or missile programs.
The renewed measures deepen uncertainty in the Middle East, raising the risk of further confrontation while leaving the door open, at least for now, for diplomacy.