Iran Recalls Envoys as UN Sanctions Snap Back After a Decade
Iran has recalled its ambassadors from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany after the three European powers—known as the E3—triggered a long-dormant mechanism to reinstate United Nations sanctions on Tehran. The sanctions, set to take effect on Sunday, mark the first time in 10 years that such sweeping international measures have been reimposed on Iran.
State media in Iran confirmed on Saturday that the envoys were summoned back to Tehran for consultations in response to what officials called the “irresponsible action” of the European states. The decision followed a failed bid by Russia and China at the UN Security Council to block the move. Their draft resolution garnered support from only four countries, leaving the path clear for sanctions to be revived.
The Snapback Mechanism Explained
The E3—Britain, France, and Germany—set the snapback process in motion a month ago, accusing Iran of failing to comply with nuclear transparency commitments. Western officials argue that Tehran has not addressed concerns over its nuclear program and has escalated tensions in response to airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States earlier this year.
The sanctions, effective from 00:00 GMT on Sunday, will impose a global ban on cooperation with Iran across nuclear, military, banking, and shipping sectors. Analysts warn that these restrictions could deepen the economic crisis already gripping the country. On Saturday, Iran’s currency, the rial, sank to a record low of over 1.1 million per US dollar in Tehran’s open market.
International Watchdog and Nuclear Tensions
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Friday that some inspections at Iranian sites had resumed. However, it did not confirm whether these included locations targeted during the joint US-Israeli bombing campaign in June. Iranian officials have accused the IAEA of bias, with nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami criticizing the agency in Moscow for refusing to condemn the attacks.
“Instead of condemning the destruction of our facilities, they question our compliance,” Eslami said during the World Atomic Week forum.
Diplomatic Deadlock at the UN
In the run-up to the sanctions snapback, Iran attempted to negotiate a delay. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had offered proposals but claimed Western powers—pressured by Washington—dismissed them.
“If the true goal was to resolve concerns about our nuclear program, that could easily be achieved,” Pezeshkian said. “But what we see instead is an attempt to topple Iran’s system under the guise of diplomacy.”
The president also reiterated that Iran will “never pursue nuclear weapons” and accused the US of preventing European nations from seeking compromise.
US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff countered that snapback was “the right medicine for what’s happening,” though he maintained Washington was still open to dialogue.
Global Divisions Over Sanctions
While the US and its European allies push for enforcement, Russia has declared the sanctions “null and void.” Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow, a close partner of Tehran, would not recognize the legitimacy of the measures.
China also remains a key player, with Chinese companies continuing to purchase Iranian oil despite US pressure. The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on several Chinese firms accused of facilitating those imports.
The renewed sanctions revive UN measures that had been suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That agreement, brokered under President Barack Obama, had lifted international sanctions in exchange for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program. However, former President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, launching a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.
Israel Pushes for Harder Line
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the snapback in a fiery address at the UN on Friday. He warned against any delay and hinted that Israel was prepared to take further unilateral action to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, Iran’s president warned that Tehran would not leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in response to sanctions but accused outside powers of seeking a “pretext to ignite the region.”
Regional Reactions and Resistance
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement on Saturday marking the anniversary of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s assassination in Israeli air raids last year. Senior commander Abbas Nilforoushan praised “active and smart resistance” as the only viable strategy to counter Israeli “expansionism,” declaring that both Israel and the US had failed to dismantle Iran’s regional alliances.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, traveled to Lebanon to attend ceremonies honoring Nasrallah. Speaking to reporters, he said Israel “shows mercy to no country” and warned that regional states should be prepared for its aggression.
Crackdown on Espionage
In a separate development, Iran’s judiciary announced on Saturday that four citizens were convicted of working with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and the outlawed Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) group. Two of the accused received death sentences, while the other two were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Looking Ahead
The reinstatement of UN sanctions raises significant questions about their effectiveness and enforcement. While Washington and its allies insist the measures are necessary to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, resistance from Russia, China, and some regional actors could weaken their impact.
For Iran, the sanctions come at a time of mounting economic hardship and political tension. Whether Tehran chooses confrontation or renewed diplomacy will likely determine the next chapter in the long-running nuclear dispute.