The UK, France, and Germany have decided to maintain sanctions on Iran in an effort to discourage Tehran from selling drones and missiles to Russia. In 2015, Iran entered into a nuclear deal, and as part of the agreement, some sanctions were scheduled to be lifted soon. However, the European nations believe that Iran violated the deal by enriching and storing uranium.
Iran contends that its actions are legal and that the European move constitutes a violation of the nuclear deal. European diplomatic sources indicate that the decision aims not only to prevent Iran from benefiting economically but also to reduce the likelihood of Tehran transferring ballistic missiles to Russia.
Tehran has already supplied Moscow with drones, some of which have been used in the conflict in Ukraine. The UK, France, and Germany state that the sanctions are intended to maintain measures related to nuclear proliferation, as well as arms and missile embargoes on Iran.
These European powers, known as the E3, have announced their intention to incorporate expiring UN sanctions into their domestic laws. Despite the sanctions, many drones produced in Iran have found their way into Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Separately, the UK has imposed sanctions on officials responsible for implementing Iran’s mandatory hijab legislation, including the culture minister and the mayor of Tehran. This move comes ahead of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, whose death, following her arrest for allegedly violating hijab rules, sparked protests.
The nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers, which includes the US, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany, eight years ago. Under the 2015 accord, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
The agreement included restrictions on the sale and transfer of drones and missiles to and from Iran. The deal envisioned a “transition day” eight years later when remaining sanctions related to ballistic missiles and nuclear activities would be lifted on Iran.
Countries like Russia and China are no longer bound by these restrictions if they do not implement sanctions similar to those of the UK, France, and Germany before October 18th. The E3 states that the sanctions will remain in place until Iran fully complies with the JCPOA.
Iran has argued that the decision violates the E3’s obligations under the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls on Iran not to engage in activities related to ballistic missiles designed for delivering nuclear weapons.
It’s worth noting that the United States, under former President Donald Trump, withdrew from the JCPOA unilaterally in 2018.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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