Iran is hit with snapback UN SANCTIONS after the UK, France, and Germany trigger the mechanism.

On 27 September,

• The United Nations reimposed sanctions and other restrictions pursuant to six UN Security Council Resolutions – 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, and 1929 – based on Iran’s continuing “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments.
• Their reactivation concludes the snapback process initiated on August 28, 2025, in an act of decisive global leadership on the part of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
• The United Nations Security Council has voted against a resolution drafted by Russia and China to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
• In a 4-9 vote, with two abstentions, world leaders on Friday opted to reimpose sanctions owing to Iran’s nuclear programme. The sanctions snapped back as of 20:00 in New York on Saturday (00:00 GMT on Sunday).

UK

• On Monday, 29 September 2025, the UK Government designated 62 entities and nine individuals under the Iran Nuclear Sanctions Regime, significantly expanding its sanctions framework targeting Iran’s nuclear-related activities.
• The UK’s decision to designate 62 entities and nine individuals under the Iran Nuclear Sanctions Regime on 29 September 2025 is part of a broader international response to Iran’s escalation of its nuclear programme and non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

What Triggered the Sanctions?

• The sanctions were reimposed through the “snapback” mechanism built into the JCPOA.
• The United Nations has reimposed sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), aligning with the UK and other European countries.

What Happened at the UN?

• On 27 September 2025, the UN Security Council allowed the snapback sanctions to take effect after the E3 countries (UK, France, Germany) formally triggered the mechanism on 28 August 2025.
• Efforts by China and Russia to delay or block the sanctions failed in a Security Council vote.
• The snapback reinstated six major UN Security Council resolutions (1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, and 1929).

What UN Sanctions Are Now in Force?

The reimposed UN sanctions include:

• Suspension of uranium enrichment, heavy water production, and reprocessing activities.
• Ban on ballistic missile development using nuclear-capable technology.
• Embargo on conventional arms exports to Iran.
• Global asset freezes and travel bans on listed individuals and entities.
• Authorisation to seize weapons and prohibited cargo being transferred by Iran to state or non-state actors.

Global Impact:

• All UN member states are now required to enforce these sanctions.
• This includes restrictions on banking, trade, and technology transfers that could support Iran’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs[4].
• The EU and UK have also reinstated their own autonomous sanctions in parallel.

Iran’s Reaction:

• Iran condemned the move as “legally void” and “politically reckless”.
• It argued that the JCPOA was already voided by the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, and that the snapback mechanism should no longer apply.

Here's what led to this:

1. Iran’s Non-Compliance:
• Iran breached nearly all its JCPOA commitments, including exceeding limits on uranium enrichment and stockpiling.
• It suspended inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on nuclear sites in June 2025.
• Iran refused to provide a report on its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is close to weapons-grade levels.
2. European Response:
• The E3 countries (UK, France, Germany) formally triggered the snapback mechanism on 28 August 2025, citing Iran’s significant non-performance.
• After 30 days, and with no UN Security Council resolution to block the move, the UN sanctions were automatically reinstated on 27 September 2025.
3. Diplomatic Breakdown:
• Iran rejected offers for negotiation and refused to meet the conditions for delaying sanctions.
• It recalled its ambassadors from the UK, France, and Germany in protest.

What Is the “Snapback” Mechanism?

The snapback clause in the JCPOA allows any party to the deal to reimpose UN sanctions if Iran is found to be in significant non-compliance.

Once triggered, the sanctions come back into force automatically after 30 days unless the UN Security Council votes to block them, which did not happen.

What Sanctions Were Reimposed?

The reimposed sanctions include:

• Asset freezes on Iranian banks and individuals.
• Arms embargo and bans on nuclear-related technology transfers.
• Restrictions on shipping, banking, and financial services.
• Travel bans on designated individuals.
• Prohibition on foreign investment in sensitive Iranian industries.

Iran’s Reaction

• Iran called the sanctions “unfair, unjust, and illegal”.
• It threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• It warned of reciprocal action against countries enforcing the sanctions.

Key Highlights of the Designations

• These sanctions were made under the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which are part of the UK’s post-Brexit autonomous sanctions regime.
• The newly designated individuals and entities are believed to be involved in:
• The proliferation or development of nuclear weapons in or for use in Iran.
• The development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
• Activities that could lead to such developments.

Individuals Sanctioned

Among the nine individuals designated, one named in a recent related announcement is:

• Hossein Shamkhani – subject to:
• Asset freeze
• Travel ban
• Director disqualification

Entities Sanctioned:

Some of the 62 entities include:

• Petrochemical Commercial Company (PCC)
• Admiral Shipping Group
• Ocean Leonid Investments
• Milavous Group

These companies are accused of generating revenue that supports Iran’s destabilising activities, including:

• Supporting proxy groups across the Middle East.
• Facilitating state threats on UK soil.

Sanctions Measures Imposed

Designated individuals and entities are subject to:

• Asset freezes: UK persons and businesses must not deal with their funds or economic resources.
• Travel bans: Designated individuals are barred from entering or remaining in the UK.
• Director disqualifications: Designated persons cannot act as directors of UK companies or manage companies connected to the UK.

📜Legal Basis

These actions are taken under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, which empowers the UK to impose sanctions independently of the EU.

Today, Monday 29 September, the UK Government has designated the following 62 entities and nine individuals under the Iran Nuclear Sanctions Regime.

Entities designated:

Name          OFSI ID            Unique ID

1. Arian Bank      11169      INU0298
2. Bank Mellat      11166     INU0299
3. Bank Melli      10651      INU0300
4. BANK REFAH KARGARAN      11184      INU0301
5. BANK SADERAT IRAN      11185      INU0302
6. BANK TEJARAT      12459      INU0303
7. CEMENT INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY      11175      INU0304
8. TOSEE TAAVON BANK      12804      INU0305
9. Europaisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG      11512      INU0306
10. THE EXPORT DEVELOPMENT BANK OF IRAN      11189      INU0307
11. MELLI BANK PLC      10650      INU0308
12. Nuclear Fuel Production and Procurement Company      9107      INU0310
13. Research Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology      11217      INU0312
14. NAFTIRAN INTERTRADE COMPANY      12766      INU0315
15. NATIONAL IRANIAN DRILLING COMPANY      12750      INU0316
16. National Iranian Gas Company      12796      INU0317
17. NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY      12741      INU0318
18. IRANIAN OFFSHORE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY      12256      INU0319
19. NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LIMITED      12743      INU0320
20. IRAN FUEL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION      12745      INU0321
21. IRANIAN OIL PIPELINES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY      12832     INU0322
22. ONERBANK ZAO      11513     INU0323
23. MASJED-SOLEYMAN OIL & GAS COMPANY      12753     INU0324
24. AGHAJARI OIL & GAS PRODUCTION COMPANY      12755     INU0325
25. ARVANDAN OIL & GAS COMPANY      12756     INU0326
26. BANK OF INDUSTRY AND MINE      12803     INU0327
27. BANK MELLI PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY      11174     INU0328
28. EAST OIL & GAS PRODUCTION COMPANY      12758     INU0329
29. GACHSARAN OIL & GAS COMPANY      12754     INU0330
30. PETRO SUISSE INTERTRADE COMPANY SA    12823   INU0331
31. Kala Naft      11210     INU0332
32. PETROIRAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (PEDCO) LIMITED      12792     INU0333
33. PETROPARS IRAN COMPANY      12879     INU0334
34. MACHINE SAZI ARAK     11211     INU0335
35. PETROPARS RESOURCES ENGINEERING LLC      12882     INU0336
36. PERSIA INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC      11168     INU0339
37. Post Bank of Iran      11215     INU0340
38. SINA BANK      11186     INU0341
39. BANCO INTERNACIONAL DE DESARROLLO CA      11192    INU0342
40. First Islamic Investment Bank      12825    INU0343
41. Bonab Research Center      11947     INU0344
42. AZARAB INDUSTRIAL COMPANY      11165     INU0347
43. NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY PTE LIMITED      12742     INU0348
44. NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL REFINING AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY      12797     INU0349
45. NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY      12798     INU0351
46. NORTH DRILLING COMPANY     12748     INU0353
47. Mazandaran Cement Company    11178     INU0354
48. Melli Agrochemical Company PJS      11181     INU0355
49. PETROPARS UK LTD     12795     INU0357
50. SOUTH ZAGROS OIL & GAS PRODUCTION COMPANY      12751     INU0358
51. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT & RENOVATION ORGANIZATION OF IRAN      11197     INU0359
52. IRAN INSURANCE COMPANY      11202     INU0362
53. IRAN LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS COMPANY      12764     INU0363
54. NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY NEDERLAND       12807     INU0364
55. Future Bank      11177     INU0400
56. IRAN ALUMINIUM COMPANY     12818     INU0401
57. Nuclear Reactors Fuel Company      11545     INU0407
58. EMKA Company      11538     INU0409
59. GOOD LUCK SHIPPING LLC     12297     INU0410
60. Ministry of Energy of Iran      12739     INU0411
61. MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM     12740     INU0413
62. PETROPARS LTD      12793     INU0414

Individuals designated: Name     Unique ID         OFSI ID

63. Naser Rastkhah     11939     INU0309
64. Said Esmail Khalilipour    9094       INU0313
65. Ali Akbar Salehi      10955     INU0314
66. Massoud AKHAVAN-FARD        11941    INU0337
67. Majid NAMJOO      12738     INU0338
68. Ali Reza KHANCHI         9095     INU0350
69. Reza AGHAZADEH       9087     INU0352
70. Hoseyn FAQIHIAN         9091     INU0356
71. Behzad SOLTANI          11940   INU0412

References

•  Europe imposes 'snapback' sanctions on Iran's nuclear program https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/europe-imposes-snapback-sanctions-on-irans-nuclear-program/ar-AA1NtdLx
•  Iran weighs response after U.N. sanctions are reimposed over its nuclear program https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-weighs-how-to-respond-to-reimposed-un-sanctions-over-its-nuclear-program/ar-AA1NruRy
•  Iran sanctions snapback: Council reimposes restrictive measures https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/09/29/iran-sanctions-snapback-council-reimposes-restrictive-measures/
•  Impending Deadline for UN Action on Iran: What the “Snapback” of Iran ...https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/impending-deadline-for-un-action-on-iran-what-the-snapback-of-iran-sanctions-could-mean-for-global-business
•  Iran recalls envoys to UK, France, Germany as UN sanctions reimposed https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/27/iran-recalls-envoys-to-uk-france-germany-as-un-sanctions-reimposed
•  Which UN sanctions have been reimposed on Iran? https://www.newarab.com/news/which-un-sanctions-have-been-reimposed-iran
•  Sanctions against Iran set to snap back after UN Security Council vote ...https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/26/u-n-security-council-rejects-last-ditch-effort-to-delay-iran-sanctions
• Completion of UN Sanctions Snapback on Iran - United States Department ...https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/completion-of-un-sanctions-snapback-on-iran
• What are the 'snapback' nuclear sanctions the UN will reimpose on Iran? https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250927-snapback-what-sanctions-will-be-reimposed-on-iran