Iran is weighing its response to reimposed United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, with some lawmakers indicating that parliament could consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The sanctions, triggered through the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals, and penalize ballistic missile development.
The sanctions come as Iran’s economy faces severe strain, with the rial hitting record lows, driving up food prices and making daily life increasingly difficult. Concerns are also rising over a possible resumption of conflict with Israel or even the U.S., as missile sites damaged during the June war are being rebuilt.
Lawmaker Ismail Kowsari told Iranian state-affiliated media that parliament will discuss withdrawing from the nuclear treaty. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that any country enforcing the U.N. sanctions would face “serious reciprocal action” from Iran, including the three European nations—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—that initiated the snapback.
The European countries said they had tried to avoid triggering snapback, but Iran had restricted access for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and failed to provide a full report on its high-enriched uranium stockpile. Iran maintains that the sanctions are unjust and points to the U.S.’s 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal as a precedent.
Iran currently holds uranium enriched to 60%, just short of weapons-grade levels. While Kowsari said a potential withdrawal from the treaty does not necessarily mean Iran will pursue nuclear weapons, experts warn that restricting inspections increases the risk of miscalculation and potential further strikes by Israel or the U.S.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi downplayed the sanctions’ impact, saying their effect has been exaggerated in international media to pressure the Iranian government. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the European countries for decisive action but emphasized that diplomacy remains possible if Iran agrees to direct talks.
How Tehran will act remains uncertain, with analysts noting that the combination of sanctions, military tensions, and a lack of international monitoring makes the situation increasingly volatile.