A series of UN sanctions against Iran came back into effect this Saturday, for the first time in ten years, after nuclear negotiations with Western powers failed.
These new restrictions range from a general arms embargo to the prohibition of uranium enrichment by Iran. The measures were reinstated through the “snapback” mechanism, triggered by countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which in August called for the reactivation of sanctions suspended in 2015.
Although the sanctions are now officially in force, Russia and China attempted unsuccessfully to delay their implementation. Tehran denounced the reinstatement as a “political measure” and warned it would respond by adjusting its nuclear programs.
Will these sanctions contain Iran’s nuclear progress or fuel further tensions?
That remains to be seen. While diplomatic options are still on the table, many experts believe Iran may respond by intensifying its atomic program or seeking allies to help circumvent the imposed restrictions.