The United Nations has officially reactivated sanctions on Iran. These sanctions now cover 43 people and 78 companies and organizations. The move came after France, Britain, and Germany invoked the “snapback” mechanism, a legal option under the 2015 nuclear deal. This mechanism allows sanctions to return if Iran is found to be violating the terms of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
According to the UN, the sanctions became active on September 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The organization confirmed that earlier resolutions from 2006 to 2010, which were put in place before the 2015 deal, are once again valid. These resolutions cover restrictions on nuclear-related trade, limits on arms, and financial measures designed to block support for Iran’s nuclear program.
The Security Council has also restored the official sanctions list. This list, first created under Resolution 1737 in 2006, contains the names of individuals and companies accused of being linked to nuclear or missile activities. With the reactivation, all 43 individuals and 78 entities that were previously under restrictions have been added back to the UN’s Consolidated Sanctions List.
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Why the Sanctions Returned
The decision to restore sanctions follows the failure of attempts to keep sanctions relief for Iran in place. On September 19, the UN Security Council rejected a proposal to extend relief measures connected to the JCPOA. A second resolution, which aimed to grant a six-month extension for both the nuclear deal and Resolution 2231, also failed to gain approval just days later.
These failures cleared the way for France, Britain, and Germany to officially trigger the snapback process. Once activated, the process gives the Security Council 30 days to respond, but if no resolution is passed to block the move, the sanctions automatically return. This is what happened in this case, resulting in the reinstatement of measures from past resolutions.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region have been rising. Iran suspended international inspections of its nuclear facilities earlier this year. These inspections were required under the terms of the JCPOA to verify that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons. The suspension was announced after several of Iran’s nuclear and military sites were attacked in June. The strikes were carried out by Israel and the United States, further escalating the conflict.
Iran’s Position Amid Growing Tensions
In response to these developments, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. He stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is focused only on peaceful purposes such as energy production. However, the suspension of inspections has raised concern among many nations, who see monitoring as a vital safeguard against nuclear weapon development.
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The renewed sanctions are designed to increase international pressure on Iran. By targeting individuals, companies, and organizations believed to be connected to nuclear or missile activities, the restrictions affect travel, banking, and trade. These measures make it harder for those listed to operate on the global stage and place Iran under greater economic and political strain.
The reactivation of sanctions also reflects a wider disagreement within the UN Security Council about how to handle Iran’s nuclear program. While some countries have pushed for continued relief and negotiation, others have taken a harder line, insisting on the return of strict measures. The failed votes in September show how divided the Council remains on this sensitive issue.
With 43 individuals and 78 entities now back under restrictions, the UN has effectively turned back the clock to the pre-2015 era. The snapback has restored a sanctions regime that had once been lifted in hopes of supporting the nuclear deal. The decision highlights the continuing clash between Iran and much of the international community over the future of its nuclear program.