Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Monday, the European Union announced it had reimposed extensive sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear program, following the UN’s reimplementation of its broader measures designed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.
This move follows the invocation of the “snapback” mechanism by France, Germany, and the UK on August 28, citing Iran’s significant non-compliance with its commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
As reported, the sanctions reinstated by the European Union include UN measures that prohibit dealing with Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Additionally, they extend to include wider financial measures, such as freezing the assets of Iran’s central bank.
The sanctions are a “snapback” of measures that were suspended in 2015 when Iran agreed to substantial restrictions on its nuclear program as part of a deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama.
How did Iran fail to comply with JCPOA commitments?
Although diplomatic engagements took place throughout the thirty-day snapback period, Iran failed to meet the criteria needed in order to extend UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which lifted these sanctions. The sanctions reimposed are meant to increase pressure on Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and go back into negotiations to reach a diplomatic resolution.
How does Kaja Kallas view diplomacy with Iran now?
A day earlier, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, stressed that broad sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program should not conclude diplomatic efforts with the Islamic Republic. Kallas said that while the EU will follow the UN in reimposing sanctions, “a sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through negotiations.”
What sanctions has the EU imposed on Iran since 2007?
In the past, the European Union has sanctioned Iran due to its nuclear program. The EU began imposing sanctions as early as 2007, which included a full arms embargo and bans on the sale of materials and technologies related to missile and nuclear development. These sanctions targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and limited its financial, trade, and technological abilities related to these sectors.
