Wide-ranging United Nations sanctions against Iran were reinstated Sunday after more than a decade, following the expiration of a 30-day deadline under the “snapback mechanism” of Security Council Resolution 2231.
The mechanism was triggered by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which accused Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons and insists its programme is peaceful.
Under the terms of the resolution, the Security Council failed to adopt a new measure to extend the suspension of sanctions, resulting in their automatic reimposition without a fresh vote.
The sanctions cover Iran’s economic and military sectors. They impose a blanket ban on arms exports and imports, from light weapons to missile systems and related technologies. Ballistic missile activities including testing, production and research and development are also prohibited.
Financial restrictions include the freezing of assets belonging to key Iranian institutions abroad, along with strict limits on money transfers and foreign investment. Oil, gas and petrochemical exports are again targeted, and investment in Iran’s energy sector is banned.
Dozens of Iranian officials and entities, including senior figures in the Revolutionary Guard, the Ministry of Defence and the Atomic Energy Organisation, have been restored to the Security Council’s sanctions list.
On Friday, a Russian and Chinese draft resolution seeking to delay the sanctions failed in the Council. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later described the sanctions as “illegal” during a UN meeting.
Tehran has repeatedly warned that it would suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if the snapback mechanism were activated.
