Iran has strongly condemned the reimposition of UN sanctions, calling it a “dangerous precedent” that threatens trust in the global order.
The sanctions are set to return this weekend following a failed attempt by Russia and China to delay the snapback mechanism at the UN Security Council.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told the council that reinstating sanctions against Tehran is “legally void.” He accused the United States of rejecting diplomacy and criticized the European trio—Britain, France, and Germany (E3)—for choosing confrontation over dialogue.
“Iran will never respond to threats or pressure,” Araghchi said, urging the council to declare the sanctions unlawful. He warned that enforcing them would harm the credibility of the UN Security Council.
On Friday, the Security Council voted on a Russian-Chinese draft resolution to extend the 2015 nuclear deal and delay sanctions until 2026. The draft received only four votes in favor, nine against, and two abstentions. Countries opposing the draft included the US, UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Somalia. Britain’s envoy stated that the snapback is automatic under Resolution 2231.
With the draft failing, all UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday (0000 GMT). The measures include a ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing, an arms embargo, ballistic missile restrictions, a global asset freeze, and travel bans. These sanctions will put fresh pressure on Iran’s struggling energy sector. EU sanctions are also expected to follow next week.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that the country will remain in the Non-Proliferation Treaty and will not pursue nuclear weapons. Tehran has halted cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, citing bias after attacks on Iranian facilities earlier this year.
The US and its allies argue that Iran has failed to meet nuclear obligations, while France said the sanctions “are not the end of diplomacy.” At the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the sanctions necessary to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program.
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