Iran is confronting a deepening economic and political crisis following the United Nations’ decision to reinstate its ‘Snapback’ sanctions, marking a pivotal moment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The move comes after failed negotiations between Tehran and the E3 nations—Britain, France, and Germany—over longstanding disputes concerning Iran’s nuclear activities. n nAccording to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the renewed restrictions prohibit Iran from enriching uranium, engaging in heavy water production, or advancing ballistic missile development. Additionally, the sanctions enforce a ban on conventional arms exports to the country, renew travel restrictions and asset freezes on designated individuals and organizations, and permit the interception of illicit shipments linked to Iranian transfers to both state and non-state groups. n nAn Iranian official expressed concern over the regime’s precarious position, stating that the leadership is caught in an untenable situation, with the survival of the Islamic Republic at stake. The population, already strained by economic hardship, may not endure further external pressure or the prospect of military conflict. n nThe nuclear dispute has fueled internal discontent and contributed to increasing economic isolation. Iranian authorities warned that without progress in negotiations with Western powers, the situation could deteriorate further. However, acceding to Western demands could undermine the ruling establishment’s authority and contradict core ideological principles of resisting foreign influence. n nIn response to the sanctions’ reinstatement, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany emphasized their commitment to diplomacy, asserting that this action does not mark the end of dialogue. They called on Iran to avoid escalatory measures and return to fulfilling its legally binding safeguards commitments. n nRubio reiterated that the UN Security Council’s decisions on September 19 and September 26 reaffirm global resolve against ambiguous compliance, stressing that Tehran must be held accountable. He noted that while President Trump remains open to negotiations, a viable agreement requires Iran to engage in direct, transparent talks without delay or evasion. In the absence of such engagement, enforcing sanctions is necessary to compel responsible decision-making in Tehran for the sake of national and global security. n nInternally, divisions are growing among Iran’s leadership on how to respond. While some advocate for a more defiant posture, others warn that inflexibility could risk the collapse of the current system. Meanwhile, since February, the Trump administration has intensified its ‘maximum pressure’ strategy through additional sanctions and veiled military threats, prompting some Iranian policymakers to favor maintaining the current stalemate—avoiding both war and concessions—until conditions shift. n— news from i24NEWS
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Iranian Officials Fear Economic Isolation As Snapback Sanctions Reimposed
Iran may be facing one of its gravest crises since the 1979 Islamic Revolution as the United Nations (UN) reimposed its Snapback sanctions on the country on Saturday. This after last attempts at talks between Tehran and E3 countries — The UK, France, and Germany — failed to resolve the decades-long friction over Iran ‘s nuclear program. n nThe bans include suspending Iran ‘s uranium enrichment (heavy water and reprocessing-related activities) and use of ballistic missile technology, embargo the export of conventional arms to it, reimpose travel bans and global asset freezes on listed individuals and entities, and authorize the seizure of weapons and other prohibited cargo being transferred by Iran to state and non-state actors, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Saturday. n n”The clerical establishment is trapped between a rock and a hard place. The existence of the Islamic Republic is in peril,” one official said, adding that “our people cannot handle more economic pressure or another war.” n nThe conflict over Iran ‘s nuclear development has led to growing dissatisfaction and division within its population as well as economic isolation, which Iranian officials told Reuters they have predicted will further intensify without advancement in talks with Western countries. But accepting the West ‘s demands risks weakening the ruling leadership ‘s power and going against the Islamic Republic’s revolutionary beliefs in “not succumbing to Western pressure,” they said. n nAs UN sanctions were reimposed on Iran, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said “our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of U.N. sanctions is not the end of diplomacy. We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory action and to return to compliance with its legally binding safeguards obligations.” n nUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that “the Security Council’s decision on September 19 – reaffirmed on September 26 – to restore these restrictions sends a clear message: the world will not acquiesce to threats and half measures – and Tehran will be held to account. President Trump has been clear that diplomacy is still an option—a deal remains the best outcome for the Iranian people and the world.” n n”For that to happen, Iran must accept direct talks, held in good faith, without stalling or obfuscation,” he added. “Absent such a deal, it is incumbent on partners to implement snapback sanctions immediately in order to pressure Iran’s leaders to do what is right for their nation and best for the safety of the world.” n nAs the crisis grows, rifts widen within Iran ‘s leadership over handling the crisis. Some of its ruling elite push for a tougher stance, while others fear it could lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic if not conceded. n nWith Trump ‘s revival of a “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran since February with new sanctions and threats of further military action, a second official said some decision-makers in Tehran believe “maintaining the status quo — no war, no deal, and continued talks — is the best option without offering further concessions.”