DIPLOMACY STILL AN OPTION
The European powers had offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal if Iran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors, addressed concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engaged in talks with the United States.
“Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy,” the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said. “We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory action and to return to compliance with its legally binding safeguards obligations.”
US President Donald Trump has been clear that diplomacy is still an option for Iran and that a deal remains the best outcome for the Iranian people and the world, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement after the UN sanctions were reimposed.
“For that to happen, Iran must accept direct talks, held in good faith, without stalling or obfuscation,” he said, stressing that until there was a new deal it was important that countries implemented sanctions “immediately in order to pressure Iran’s leaders to do what is right for their nation, and best for the safety of the world.”
Iran’s economy is already struggling with crippling US sanctions reimposed since 2018 after Trump ditched the pact during his first term.
Iran’s rial currency continued to decline over fears of new sanctions. The rial fell to 1,123,000 per US dollar, a new record low, on Saturday, from about 1,085,000 on Friday, according to foreign exchange websites, including Bon-bast.com.
With the return of UN sanctions, Iran will again be subjected to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches.
Other sanctions to be reimposed include a travel ban on dozens of Iranian individuals, an asset freeze on dozens of Iranian individuals and entities and a ban on the supply of anything that could be used in Iran’s nuclear program.
All countries are authorised to seize and dispose of any items banned under UN sanctions and Iran will be prohibited from acquiring an interest in any commercial activity in another country involving uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials and technology.
