The UN has renewed sanctions against Iran after a ten-year hiatus

The United Nations has officially renewed international sanctions against Iran after a ten-year hiatus, marking a significant escalation in the dispute over the country's nuclear programme. The restrictions, which cover arms, ballistic missiles, and uranium enrichment, were reimposed from 28 September after the UN Security Council rejected a last-minute attempt by Russia and China to delay them.

The path to renewal was cleared on 26 September when a resolution for a six-month postponement failed to gain the required support in the Security Council. The proposal, put forward by Russia and China, received only four votes in favour, with nine countries voting against and two abstaining. For the resolution to pass, it needed at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the permanent members.

The restoration of sanctions was triggered through a "snapback" mechanism contained within the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In August 2025, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (the "E3") initiated the process, accusing Iran of "significant and constant violation" of its commitments under the agreement. In a letter to the Security Council, the E3 stated that Tehran's non-compliance was "clear and deliberate" and that its nuclear programme "remains a clear threat to international peace and security".

A Deal in Tatters

The original UN sanctions were first imposed in 2006 and were lifted in January 2016 after Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief under the JCPOA. However, the agreement began to crumble after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018. Iran began stepping back from its commitments in 2019 and has since significantly expanded its nuclear activities.

Tensions escalated dramatically in June 2025 when Israel, with support from the US, launched a series of strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Iran suspended all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Renewed Sanctions

The comprehensive sanctions now back in force include:

• An embargo on the supply of arms to Iran.

• A prohibition on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.

• A ban on any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

• Travel bans and asset freezes for dozens of Iranian officials and entities.

• A ban on Iran acquiring shares in commercial activities in other countries related to uranium mining or nuclear technology.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout

The move has prompted strong reactions globally. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi labelled the sanctions mechanism "legally null and void" and accused the E3 of having "buried" diplomacy. In protest, Iran recalled its ambassadors to the UK, France, and Germany for consultations. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the country would not exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Russia's Deputy UN Representative, Dmitry Polyansky, declared that "no return of sanctions has happened and will not happen," calling any attempt to revive pre-2015 resolutions "invalid and null".

Conversely, US representative Dorothy Shea stated that the return of sanctions was "inevitable" after Iran failed to answer key questions, but she affirmed that the "diplomatic path remains open". President Trump has also expressed a continued willingness for dialogue with Iran.

Recent analysis of satellite images by BBC Verify indicates ongoing activity at Iran's nuclear sites. Images of the Natanz facility show construction work, possibly for a new tunnel, while at the Fordow complex, craters from previous strikes appear to have been filled in.