UN and EU Reimpose Iran Sanctions After Snapback

The United Nations and the European Union reinstated long-dormant sanctions on Iran over the weekend after Britain, France and Germany invoked a snapback mechanism in the 2015 nuclear agreement, saying Tehran had failed to meet its nuclear commitments. The measures came into effect late Saturday and restore UN restrictions on arms transfers, uranium enrichment and activities tied to ballistic missiles, while the EU and Britain announced broader financial steps including asset freezes, travel bans and limits on oil and gold transactions.

The three European powers said they triggered the snapback after a 30 day window to deescalate expired and cited curtailed access for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and new enrichment activity as evidence of noncompliance. The move reactivated Security Council resolutions that had been suspended under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015. Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said negotiators had offered Iran opportunities to reach a new deal and added, "The sanctions will be imposed." European officials emphasized that channels for diplomacy remain open.

Iran rejected the sanctions as unlawful and said it would...