U.N. to reimpose 'snapback' sanctions on Iran as efforts by China and Russia fail
The U.N. Security Council failed to approve China and Russia’s bid to delay or block the reimposition, leaving “snapback” sanctions—triggered Aug. 28 by France, Germany and the U.K.—to take effect Sept. 28, restoring measures such as an arms embargo, missile restrictions, asset freezes, travel bans and bans on key nuclear technology. Iran has warned it will suspend cooperation with the IAEA, its rial has plunged to record lows amid rising prices and domestic strain, and senior officials have rejected direct talks while insisting the nuclear program cannot be destroyed.
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📰 Sources (7)
U.N. hits Iran with "snapback" sanctions over its nuclear program
New information:
- On-the-ground human-impact reporting about the rial at record lows and rising food prices (meat, rice, staples) with a named local source ('Sina') quoted.
- CBS cites reports that Iran has executed more people this year than in the past three decades, highlighting domestic repression concerns.
- Direct quotes and reaction included from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praising the European triggerers and Sergey Lavrov labeling the move a 'trap'.
- Mentions that missile sites struck in June appear to be under reconstruction, increasing regional escalation risk.
‘Iran’s nuclear program can never be destroyed,’ country’s top nuclear negotiator says
New information:
- Exclusive on-the-record interview and quoted statement from Ali Larijani asserting 'Iran’s nuclear program can never be destroyed.'
- PBS correspondent Sebastian Walker conducted the interview, providing Iran's senior leadership reaction ahead of the Security Council action.
- Contextual framing that Iran is 'bracing' for the reimposition and direct Iranian official commentary on anticipated sanctions.
What to know about the UN reimposing ‘snapback’ sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program
New information:
- U.N. 'snapback' sanctions are set to be reimposed Sunday (Sept. 28, 2025).
- China and Russia failed this week to halt or delay the reimposition at the U.N. Security Council.
- Context/timeline: the 30‑day clock began Aug. 28, 2025 when France, Germany and the U.K. declared Iran noncompliant; the 'snapback' authority expires Oct. 18, 2025.
- IAEA data cited: Iran’s pre‑war stockpile was 9,874.9 kg of uranium with 440.9 kg enriched up to 60%.
UN Security Council rejects Russia and China’s resolution to delay sanctions on Iran
New information:
- The U.N. Security Council on Sept. 26 rejected a Russia–China resolution that would have delayed the reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran, because the measure failed to obtain the nine votes required.
- Quotes and positions from diplomats on the floor: Dmitry Polyanskiy accused Western countries of 'clumsy blackmail' while Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi said the U.S. and E3 'buried' diplomacy.
- The article reiterates concrete effects of the snapback: freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals and penalizing ballistic-missile development, and notes the reinstatement is set to take effect Saturday absent an eleventh‑hour deal.
WATCH LIVE: Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian addresses U.N. General Assembly
New information:
- Iran’s rial fell to a new all‑time low of 1,074,000 to the U.S. dollar just before President Masoud Pezeshkian’s U.N. address.
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly rejected direct talks with the U.S., constraining last‑minute diplomacy to avert automatic sanctions.
- The article notes the 30‑day window from the snapback trigger will end Sunday, placing a concrete imminent deadline on whether sanctions will resume.
- Context that an IAEA–Egypt mediated agreement to resume cooperation has not fully taken hold, and Iran’s July law had suspended cooperation with the IAEA.
What to expect at this week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings
New information:
- Iran said it would 'effectively suspend' cooperation with the IAEA after a South Korea–led UNSC resolution to halt snapback failed.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is in New York amid the standoff over reimposed UN sanctions tied to the 2015 nuclear deal.
UN Security Council votes against lifting Iran ‘snapback’ sanctions
New information:
- Vote result: 4 in favor (China, Russia, Pakistan, Algeria), below the 9 required; resolution failed
- Snapback triggered by France, Germany and the U.K.; sanctions include arms embargo, missile restrictions, asset freezes, travel bans, nuclear-tech bans
- Sanctions set to take effect at the end of the month; EU’s Kaja Kallas and France’s Macron said Iran hasn’t taken required steps