UN Vote Clears Way for Iran Sanctions

Britain, France and Germany triggered the JCPOA “snapback,” and U.N. sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 deal are set to be reimposed on Saturday. A Russia–China draft to delay reimposition for six months failed in the Security Council (four votes for, nine against, two abstentions), clearing the way for the measures to return. Restored restrictions will include asset freezes, travel bans, arms and ballistic‑missile limits and authorizations to inspect Iran Air and Iran Shipping Lines cargo; U.N. measures are to take effect first, followed by EU sanctions. Iran denounced the move as illegal and warned it may suspend cooperation with the IAEA or retaliate, though President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does not plan to leave the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty. The IAEA says inspections resumed this week after a hiatus following U.S. and Israeli strikes and, along with Western powers, cites an unprecedented stockpile of highly enriched uranium as evidence that Iran’s programme cannot be confirmed as exclusively peaceful; last‑minute diplomacy between Iran and the E3 failed to avert the snapback.