Iran has vehemently rejected the reinstatement of United Nations Security Council sanctions, calling the move by European powers and the U.S. a "clear abuse" of international processes. The sanctions – revived on Saturday after a decade-long suspension under the 2015 nuclear deal – mark a new escalation in tensions over Tehran's nuclear program.
Legal Battle Over JCPOA
In a Sunday statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry accused the E3 (France, Germany, UK) and the U.S. of violating UNSC Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The ministry stressed that "no obligation arises for UN members" to comply with resolutions terminated by the 2015 agreement.
Snapback Mechanism Dispute
The conflict centers on the E3's September invocation of the JCPOA's 'snapback' clause, automatically restoring sanctions after the UNSC failed to extend Iran's sanctions relief. Foreign Ministry official Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned in a letter to the UN that this process was "illegally activated," arguing only JCPOA participants – excluding the U.S., which withdrew in 2018 – could trigger the mechanism.
Diplomatic Fallout
With UNSC resolutions on extending sanctions relief failing twice in three days, analysts warn the move could further isolate Iran while testing global consensus on nonproliferation. Tehran vowed to "firmly defend its rights" against what it calls politically motivated pressure, raising concerns about the deal's survival.
