Iran hit with major UN sanctions
Sanctions took effect on Saturday (Photo: Getty Images)
On Saturday, sweeping UN sanctions against Iran came into effect for the first time in a decade, following the failure of negotiations over its nuclear program, according to The Times of Israel and Reuters.
Specifically, the UN reinstated the arms embargo and other measures. These sanctions prohibit deals related to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and are expected to have significant consequences for the country.
The sanctions, originally imposed by the UN Security Council between 2006 and 2010, were reinstated on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Moreover, efforts by Iran’s allies, Russia and China, to block the sanctions until April failed. The UN Security Council could not gather enough votes, and as a result, the measures took effect.
“We urge Iran and all states to abide fully by these resolutions,” said the foreign ministers of France, the UK, and Germany in a joint statement after the deadline passed.
The Times of Israel reports that Iran has allowed UN inspectors to return to its nuclear sites. At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the US proposed a short-term delay in exchange for handing over all of its enriched uranium stockpile, which he deemed unacceptable.
Reuters writes that European countries also offered to postpone the reinstatement of sanctions for up to six months to allow time for negotiations on a deal - if Iran permits UN inspectors at nuclear sites, resolves issues with its enriched uranium stockpiles, and begins talks with the US.
“Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of U.N. sanctions is not the end of diplomacy. We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory action and to return to compliance with its legally binding safeguards obligations,” added the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany.
Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country would not withdraw from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty despite the threat of UN sanctions being reinstated.
Iran has intensified construction of an underground facility near its Natanz nuclear complex - a site that has never been inspected by international nuclear inspectors.
