UN reimposes arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran: Araqchi calls on Guterres to prevent revival of mechanisms

The United Nations (UN) on Saturday reimposed an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran, following a process initiated by key European powers, to which Tehran warned it would respond harshly, Reuters reports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi today called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to prevent the revival of UN sanctions enforcement mechanisms after they were reimposed on Tehran.

"We call on you to prevent any attempt to revive the sanctions mechanisms, including the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts," Araqchi wrote in a letter published on the X network, adding that Tehran will not recognize any attempt to extend, renew or enforce UN sanctions, according to Reuters.

Britain, France and Germany have triggered a push to reimpose sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council over accusations that the country has violated a 2015 deal aimed at preventing the development of a nuclear bomb. Iran denies it wants nuclear weapons.

The end of the decade-long nuclear deal, originally signed by Iran, Britain, Germany, France, the United States (US), Russia and China, is likely to deepen tensions in the Middle East, just months after Israel and the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, Reuters reports.

UN sanctions, imposed by Security Council resolutions between 2006 and 2010, went back into effect at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday (2 a.m. CET on Sunday). Attempts to delay the return of all sanctions on Iran failed on the sidelines of the annual meeting of world leaders at the UN this week.

"We call on Iran and all states to fully respect these resolutions," the foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany said in a joint statement after the deadline passed.

Tehran has warned of a harsh response. However, Iranian President Masoud Pazakhstan said on Friday that Iran has no intention of leaving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. On Saturday, Iran said it was recalling its ambassadors from Britain, France and Germany for consultations.

Russia opposed the return of UN sanctions on Iran.

"This is illegal and cannot be implemented," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the UN, adding that he had written to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that it would be a "big mistake" for him to acknowledge the return of sanctions.

The UN Security Council website was quickly updated on Saturday evening to reflect the reinstatement of sanctions.

Diplomacy is also an option.

European powers have offered to delay the reimposition of sanctions for up to six months to allow room for negotiations on a long-term deal, provided Iran restores access to UN inspectors, addresses concerns about its stockpile of enriched uranium and engages in talks with the US.

"Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic channels and negotiations. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy," the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said. "We call on Iran to refrain from any escalating moves and to return to compliance with its legally binding obligations under the safeguards regime."

US President Donald Trump has made it clear that diplomacy remains an option for Iran and that the agreement is the best solution for the Iranian people and for the world, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement after UN sanctions were reimposed.

"For that to happen, Iran must accept direct negotiations, in good faith, without delay or obfuscation," Rubio said, stressing that until a new agreement is reached, it is important for countries to immediately implement sanctions "to pressure Iranian leaders to do what is right for their country and best for the security of the world."

Consequences for the Iranian economy

Iran's economy is already burdened by devastating US sanctions that were reimposed in 2018 after Trump abandoned the deal during his first term.

The Iranian currency, the rial, continued to weaken on fears of new sanctions. It fell to a record low of 1.123.000 to the US dollar on Saturday, from around 1.085.000 on Friday, according to foreign exchange websites including Bon-bast.com.

With the return of UN sanctions, Iran will once again be subject to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, as well as any activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons, including launches.

Other sanctions being reinstated include a travel ban on dozens of Iranian individuals, an asset freeze on dozens of individuals and entities, and a ban on the delivery of anything that could be used in Iran's nuclear program.

All countries are authorized to seize and destroy any items prohibited under UN sanctions, and Iran will be prohibited from investing in any commercial activity in another country that involves uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials and technology.