Tehran – Iran on Sunday condemned the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions regarding its nuclear programme as “unjustifiable,” a move triggered by major European powers following the collapse of recent diplomatic talks, reports 24brussels.
The sanctions, which restrict any dealings pertaining to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, took effect overnight after Western nations invoked the ‘snapback’ mechanism under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Why does Iran call the reinstated sanctions unjustifiable?
“The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable… all countries must refrain from recognising this illegal situation,”
the Iranian foreign ministry stated. In a further declaration, it asserted,
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will firmly defend its national rights and interests, and any action aimed at undermining the rights and interests of its people will face a firm and appropriate response.”
Why did European powers trigger the snapback mechanism now?
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany activated the return of sanctions to reinstate an arms embargo and other measures designed to halt Iran’s progress toward developing a nuclear weapon. These sanctions mark a “snapback” of provisions that had been suspended in 2015 when Iran accepted substantial constraints on its nuclear activities under a deal brokered by former President Barack Obama.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany indicated their intent to pursue a “new diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” while urging Iran to “refrain from any escalatory action.”
How is Russia challenging the re-imposition of UN sanctions?
Russia has opposed the re-imposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserting at a press briefing that the actions are “unlawful and cannot be implemented.” Lavrov further disclosed that he had communicated with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning that recognizing the reinstated U.N. sanctions would constitute “a major mistake.”
According to Lavrov, the sanctions “finally exposed the West’s policy of sabotaging constructive solutions in the U.N. Security Council, as well as its desire to extract unilateral concessions from Tehran through blackmail and pressure.”
When did European nations first impose sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear program?
European nations first imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program between 2006 and 2010. The U.N. sanctions included an arms embargo, restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile technology acquisition, and measures targeting Iran’s oil and financial services sectors. These sanctions were lifted around 2015, following the landmark nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
