Sanctions on Iran - United Nations (UN) Sanctions on Iran

United Nations (UN) Sanctions on Iran

Since 2006, the UN Security Council has imposed multiple resolutions targeting Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile development. These included bans on nuclear and missile-related equipment, mandatory inspections of Iranian cargo, financial restrictions, and comprehensive arms embargoes.

While some sanctions were lifted in 2016 under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), many were effectively reimposed by other international actors after 2018, especially following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement. The UN sanctions on Iran remain a cornerstone of global efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

B. European Union (EU) Sanctions on Iran

Since 2010, the European Union has enforced independent Iran sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, restrictions on dual-use technology, prohibitions on arms sales, and bans on Iranian oil and petrochemical trade. The EU sanctions on Iran also target Iran’s financial sector and banking relationships.

Recently, EU sanctions on Iran were expanded due to Iran’s missile exports and drone supplies to Russia for the Ukraine conflict (2022–2023) and continued support for proxy militias across the Middle East (2024).

C. United Kingdom (UK) Sanctions on Iran

Starting in 2024, the UK government introduced targeted sanctions against Iranian military leaders, missile developers, and entities like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Space Agency. These measures include travel bans and asset freezes aimed at curbing Iran’s advanced weapons development programs.

D. United States (US) Sanctions on Iran

U.S. sanctions on Iran date back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and have expanded over the decades to cover Iran’s nuclear program, missile development, terrorism sponsorship, and human rights violations.

Sanctions were re-tightened significantly after the U.S. exited the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. These measures target Iran’s oil exports, aviation sector, maritime shipping, financial transactions, and dual-use technology transfers. The Iran sanctions regime enforced by the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC remains among the most severe globally.

📅 Timeline of Iran Sanctions

Iran has faced international sanctions for nearly two decades (since 2006), with waves intensifying post-2010 and following the collapse of the JCPOA in 2018.

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2. Who Imposes Sanctions on Iran?

• UN Security Council: Implements globally binding sanctions on Iran.

• European Union (EU): Autonomous regional sanctions framework targeting Iran’s military and nuclear activities.

• United Kingdom (UK): Independent sanctions focused on Iran’s military leadership and technology sectors.

• United States (US): Through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under various U.S. laws (IEEPA, ISA, NEA).

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🛠️ 3. Major Iranian Defense Projects Under Sanctions

Iran’s defense industry continues to develop advanced military technologies despite the sanctions:

• Khordad-15 Air Defense System: A domestically produced surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft.

• Arman ABM System: Iran’s long-range anti-ballistic missile system unveiled in 2024, utilizing Sayyad-3F missiles with a tracking range of approximately 180 km.

• IRIS Shahid Bagheri Drone Carrier: Commissioned in 2025, this converted container-ship warship can deploy drones, helicopters, and subsurface vehicles.

• Missile and UAV Programs: The IRGC and Iran’s Ministry of Defense are heavily involved in producing drones and missiles, many of which have been supplied to Russia and Middle Eastern proxies—prompting new sanctions from Western powers between 2022 and 2024.

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☢️ 4. How Close Is Iran to a Nuclear Bomb?

Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions have fluctuated over the years. By 2003, Iran reportedly halted structured nuclear weapons development, influenced partly by Supreme Leader Khamenei’s religious decree against nuclear arms.

Since 2018, however, Iran’s uranium enrichment has accelerated dramatically, reaching 60% purity—approaching weapons-grade 90% enrichment. Iran’s current uranium stockpile (~408 kg) suggests it could produce weapons-grade uranium within a few months.

Intelligence agencies estimate that Iran’s breakout time—the time required to produce enough material for a single bomb—could be as short as 3-5 months. Despite this, no definitive intelligence confirms that Iran has finalized nuclear warhead designs or that the Iranian leadership has made a political decision to build a bomb.