Sweeping UN sanctions on Iran were set to be reimposed at midnight GMT on Sunday after nuclear talks with Western powers broke down.
European nations triggered the mechanism last month, accusing Tehran of failing to clarify its nuclear activities despite the return of UN inspectors. France offered to delay the measures if Iran surrendered its enriched uranium stockpile, but Tehran refused, with President Masoud Pezeshkian accusing Washington and Israel of seeking regime change.
The sanctions will ban global cooperation with Iranian entities linked to nuclear or missile programs, restoring UN restrictions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by the U.S. in 2018.
Russia and China opposed the move but failed to block it at the Security Council. Analysts warn the sanctions could deepen Iran’s inflation, currency crisis, and infrastructure woes as Israel hints at further military action.
