UN Security Council votes on reimposing nuclear sanctions that Iran called 'cruel'

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will vote on Friday on reimposing deep economic sanctions on Iran, which Tehran has described as "cruel," over its nuclear program.

Britain, France and Germany, signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), allege that Iran has broken its promises under that 2015 treaty. French President Emmanuel Macron said he expected international sanctions against Iran to be reinstated by the end of the month, in an excerpt from an Israeli television interview broadcast on Thursday. "The latest news we had from the Iranians are not serious," he said.

The European trio launched a 30-day process at the end of August to reimpose UN sanctions. They set conditions for Tehran to meet during September to convince them to delay the "snapback mechanism." The offer to put off the snapback for up to six months to enable serious negotiations is conditional on Iran restoring access for UN nuclear inspectors, who would also seek to account for Iran's large stock of enriched uranium, and engaging in talks with the U.S.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said later on Thursday that he had presented a "reasonable and actionable plan" to the European trio.

The vote could result in the imposition of sanctions as early as next week – although the UN's annual high-level meeting which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will attend could present opportunities for last-ditch negotiations.

Western countries and Israel have long accused Tehran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies. Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to diplomacy in a joint phone call with officials from the three countries and the European Union, and criticized the Europeans for triggering the reinstatement of sanctions, calling the move "without legal or logical justification."

Araghchi highlighted Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including an agreed framework for fulfilling its safeguards obligations following attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, and stressed the importance of recognizing Tehran's "responsible" approach.

"Now it is the other sides' turn to use the opportunity to continue the diplomatic path and prevent an avoidable crisis," Araghchi said.

Under the JCPOA, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposed sanctions, and Iran subsequently reduced its compliance.

(With input from agencies)