UK Slaps Sanctions on Over Seventy Iranian Entities

(MENAFN) The United Kingdom has announced sanctions on over 70 Iranian individuals and organizations linked to Iran's nuclear activities, marking a significant escalation in its efforts to hold Tehran accountable. The British government revealed the move on Tuesday, highlighting that the sanctions would include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on company directors.

"UK sanctions have been applied to 71 individuals and entities," stated the British government. "Iranian financial institutions and energy companies are amongst those sanctioned, as well as Iranian figures and entities involved in facilitating the nuclear program."

This action follows a joint statement by Britain, France, and Germany (the E3) issued on August 28, which invoked a "snapback process" under UN Resolution 2231 due to Iran's non-compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The snapback mechanism enables the re-imposition of UN sanctions within 30 days if Iran is found to be in breach of the nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution last Friday that would have extended sanctions relief for Iran.

In response, Iran rejected the re-imposition of UNSC sanctions on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the efforts by the European powers and the United States to revive suspended UNSC resolutions. He called their actions a "unilateral rewriting" of international law, adding that the snapback procedure invoked by the E3 and the US was "null and void." Araghchi further emphasized that Iran would continue to defend its sovereign rights and legitimate interests while staying open to "genuine negotiations on an equal footing."

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