Tehran, Iran – Economic sanctions first imposed between 2006 and 2010 are expected to come into force again on September 28.
Economic sanctions, first imposed between 2006 and 2010, are expected to re-enter into force on September 28.
This is unless a last-minute agreement is reached with Tehran.
In this context, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Saturday. He stated that if Security Council sanctions are implemented within a week, the understanding reached between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Cairo will be completely suspended.
Gharibabadi stressed that Iran will act with full vigilance against hostile actions and has appropriate responses to their agenda.
UN resolution against Iran
The UN Security Council decided on Friday not to permanently lift sanctions on Iran.
During the session, UN Security Council members failed to adopt a draft resolution. This resolution aimed at preventing the activation of the snapback mechanism, which restores sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
A letter sent by Britain, France, and Germany to the UN Security Council revealed a key intention. The three countries have initiated a 30-day process aimed at reimposing UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. This is known as the “snapback” mechanism.
The three countries, known as the “European Troika,” made the decision after Iran was accused. It failed to comply with a 2015 agreement with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.
Under the 2015 agreement, there is a process known as “snapback” that the UN can use against Iran.
If the parties cannot resolve the allegations of “significant non-performance” by Iran, this process could be activated in the 15-member UN Security Council.
Following the failure of a draft resolution to prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism at the Security Council, all UN sanctions on Iran will be reimposed in late September. This comes 30 days after the snapback process begins, unless the Security Council takes further action.
Russia and China were among the countries supporting maintaining the sanctions relief.
Negotiation deadline
The three European countries will still have until the end of next week to negotiate concessions with Iran. These concessions could prevent the sanctions from taking effect.
However, diplomats consider such an outcome unlikely at present.
France’s ambassador to the United Nations, Jérôme Bonnafont, said the three European countries are continuing to seek a solution with Tehran.
He added that they (the European countries) have not yet received a “satisfactory response” to their demands.
At the same time, the United Kingdom rejected Russia’s claim that the Europeans had no right to reimpose sanctions.
Iran is making a last-minute attempt to reach an agreement.
Prior to the vote, Iran presented a new proposal. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday evening that he had presented a “reasonable and feasible plan” to the three European countries the day before. This plan aims to “avoid an unnecessary and avoidable crisis in the coming days.”
Araghchi spoke of a “creative, fair, and balanced proposal that addresses real concerns and is mutually beneficial,” without revealing any details about its content.
Speaking in Geneva, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh threatened that Tehran would use “strategic leverage” if UN sanctions were reinstated.
Khatibzadeh accused European countries of fueling tensions in the Middle East through the snapback mechanism.
Starting next Tuesday, approximately 150 world leaders will gather in New York. They will participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings.