UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 – The United Nations has reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, following a move initiated by European powers that Tehran has warned will provoke a strong response.
Britain, France, and Germany triggered the reimposition of sanctions at the U.N. Security Council, citing alleged violations of the 2015 deal designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied any intention of producing a nuclear bomb.
The reinstatement marks the end of the decade-long nuclear agreement originally signed by Iran, Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and China. Analysts warn the move could heighten tensions in the Middle East, just months after Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites.
U.N. sanctions first adopted between 2006 and 2010 were officially reinstated at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday (0000 GMT Sunday), after efforts to delay the measures failed during the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly.
“We urge Iran and all states to abide fully by these resolutions,” the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany said in a joint statement after the deadline passed.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the bloc would “now proceed to implement the re-imposition of all previously lifted UN and EU nuclear-related sanctions without delay.”
Israel welcomed the sanctions as a “major development,” highlighting Tehran’s ongoing nuclear programme violations. “The goal is clear: prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. The world must use every tool to achieve this goal,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on X.
Tehran has signaled a forceful response, recalling its ambassadors to Britain, France, and Germany for consultations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, stated that Iran does not plan to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Russia rejected the return of U.N. sanctions on Iran. “It is unlawful, and it cannot be implemented,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, noting he had written to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that acknowledging the sanctions would be “a major mistake.”
European powers had previously offered to delay the sanctions for up to six months to allow room for negotiations, contingent on Iran restoring access for U.N. nuclear inspectors, addressing enriched uranium stock concerns, and engaging with the United States.
“Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of U.N. sanctions is not the end of diplomacy,” the European foreign ministers said, urging Iran to “return to compliance.”
