All United Nations sanctions against Iran are set to be reinstated from Sunday after a Russia-China proposal to suspend them for six months failed to pass in the UN Security Council. The development has reignited tensions across the international community.
In response, Iran has ordered the return of the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany from Tehran. According to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Iran’s state news agency Tasnim confirmed the decision on Saturday, citing Tehran’s anger over what it called the “irresponsible behavior” of the three European powers.
Last month, Western nations accused Iran in a UN letter of failing to uphold its commitments. Under the renewed sanctions, Iran will face restrictions on its nuclear program, military industry, banking operations, and maritime trade. The Iranian rial has already suffered a sharp decline in open market trading.
Tehran has warned that the West will bear full responsibility for any negative consequences resulting from the snapback sanctions. Observers believe the decision will further strain relations between Iran and Western powers.
Iran had earlier threatened that any severe measures would trigger a strong response, potentially complicating the situation further. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that inspections have resumed at some Iranian facilities, though it remains unclear whether sites damaged in recent attacks were included.
During the vote, only four of the 15 Security Council members supported the Russia-China proposal, while nine opposed it and two abstained, leading to its rejection. Following the session, UK representative Barbara Wood stated: “In line with Resolution 2231, all steps of the snapback process have been completed. Therefore, UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated this weekend.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, insisted that despite the return of sanctions, Iran will not withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He reaffirmed that Iran has never sought to build nuclear weapons and remains open to transparency over enriched uranium activities.
Source: Al Jazeera