The United Nations has reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program following a process triggered by European powers that Tehran has warned will be met with a harsh response.

Britain, France and Germany initiated the return of sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council over accusations it had violated a 2015 deal that aimed to stop it from developing a nuclear bomb. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

UN sanctions imposed by the Security Council in resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010 were reinstated at 8 p.m. EDT on September 27. Attempts to delay the return of all sanctions on Iran failed on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN this week.

With the return of UN sanctions, Iran will again be subjected to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, as well as any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Other sanctions to be reimposed include a travel ban on dozens of Iranian citizens, asset freezes on dozens of people and entities, and a ban on the supply of anything that could be used in the nation's nuclear program.

"We urge Iran and all states to abide fully by these resolutions," the foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany said in a joint statement after the deadline passed.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed in a statement on September 28 that the bloc would "now proceed to implement the reimposition of all previously lifted UN and EU nuclear-related sanctions without delay."

Israel hailed the reimposition of sanctions as a "major development." "The goal is clear: prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. The world must use every tool to achieve this goal," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

Iran warns of a harsh response

Tehran has warned of a harsh response to the reimposition of sanctions. Iran said on September 27 it was recalling its ambassadors to Britain, France and Germany for consultations. But Pezeshkian said on September 26 Iran had no intention of leaving the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on September 28 it considers the action as "illegal and unjustified." It called on all countries to refrain from recognizing the "illegal situation, which is in contradiction with UNSC Resolution 2231."

It also said in the statement that Iran will firmly defend its rights and national interests, and any move aimed at harming those interests "will be met with an appropriate and resolute response."

Russia also criticized the reimposition. "It is unlawful, and it cannot be implemented," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the UN earlier on September 27, adding that he had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that it would be "a major mistake" for him to acknowledge a return of UN sanctions on Iran.

The European powers urged Iran to "return to compliance." "Our countries will continue to pursue diplomatic routes and negotiations. The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy," the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement President Donald Trump has been clear that diplomacy is still an option for Iran and a deal remains the best outcome for the Iranian people and the world.

"For that to happen, Iran must accept direct talks, held in good faith, without stalling or obfuscation," Rubio said, adding that until there was a new deal it was important for countries to implement sanctions "immediately in order to pressure Iran's leaders."

(With input from agencies)