Additional Coverage:
UN Reimposes Sanctions on Iran Amid Deepening Economic Crisis and Heightened Tensions
The United Nations has reimposed a comprehensive set of sanctions on Iran, effective early Sunday, a move expected to significantly tighten the economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. This action coincides with a period of severe hardship for the Iranian populace, who are increasingly struggling with soaring food prices, a devalued currency, and growing anxieties about their future security.
These new sanctions, triggered by a mechanism known as “snapback” — a provision within the 2015 nuclear deal — will freeze Iranian assets held abroad, halt all arms deals with Tehran, and penalize any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program, among other measures. The “snapback” mechanism was designed to be veto-proof at the U.N.
Security Council, circumventing potential blocks from countries like China and Russia, which have historically opposed similar actions against Tehran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly described the mechanism as a “trap” for Iran.
Economic Strain Intensifies
Iran’s economy is already facing immense strain, with the national currency, the rial, reaching a record low. This devaluation is driving up the cost of essential goods, making daily life increasingly challenging for ordinary citizens. Staples such as meat, rice, and other critical food items are becoming unaffordable for many families.
Local reports indicate that the aftermath of a 12-day conflict in June further exacerbated food price inflation. The Iranian government reported an overall annual inflation rate of 34.5% in June, with essential food items seeing a more than 50% increase over the same period.
However, market prices suggest an even more severe reality: pinto beans have reportedly tripled in price within a year, butter nearly doubled, and rice, a dietary staple, saw an average increase of over 80%, climbing to 100% for premium varieties. Whole chicken prices rose 26%, while beef and lamb were up 9%.
“Every day I see new higher prices for cheese, milk and butter,” said Sima Taghavi, a mother of two in Tehran. “I cannot omit them like fruits and meat from my grocery list because my kids are too young to be deprived.”
Rising Tensions and Internal Repression
Beyond economic woes, many Iranians are increasingly worried about the potential for renewed military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and possibly the United States. Reports indicate that missile sites, which were targeted during the June conflict, are now being rebuilt, fueling these anxieties.
Activists are also voicing alarm over a perceived surge in state repression within Iran. Reports suggest that the number of executions this year has surpassed totals from the past three decades.
Sina, a father of a 12-year-old who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of repercussions, described the current period as the most challenging his country has ever faced, even exceeding the hardships of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and subsequent decades of sanctions. “For as long as I can remember, we’ve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year it’s worse than the last,” Sina stated.
“For my generation, it’s always either too late or too early — our dreams are slipping away.”
The psychological toll of these pressures is also evident, with local media in Iran reporting an increase in patients seeking psychological help since June. Dr. Sima Ferdowsi, a clinical psychologist, noted in a July interview that “The psychological pressure from the 12-day war on the one hand, and runaway inflation and price hikes on the other, has left society exhausted and unmotivated.”
Nuclear Program and Diplomatic Standoff
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom initiated the snapback process 30 days ago, citing Iran’s increased restrictions on monitoring its nuclear program and the deadlock in negotiations with the U.S. Iran further scaled back its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the June conflict with Israel, which also saw U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran currently possesses a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level technically close to weapons-grade (90%) and sufficient to produce several atomic bombs if Tehran decided to pursue weaponization. Iran has consistently maintained its nuclear program is peaceful, though Western nations and the IAEA assert Tehran had an organized weapons program until 2003.
On Sunday, the three European nations affirmed their continuous efforts to avoid triggering snapback, but highlighted Iran’s failure to authorize IAEA inspectors to regain access to its nuclear sites or to provide a report accounting for its stockpile of high-enriched uranium. Tehran, however, argues that these European nations lack the authority to implement snapback, citing the U.S.’s unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 during the Trump administration.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the European nations for their “act of decisive global leadership” in imposing the sanctions, stating that “diplomacy is still an option” if Iran agrees to direct talks.
Uncertain Future and Risks
Tehran’s immediate response to the reimposed sanctions remains uncertain. Kelsey Davenport, a nuclear expert at the Washington-based Arms Control Association, cautioned against the Trump administration’s apparent belief that it holds a stronger negotiating position post-strikes.
“Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, that’s a very dangerous assumption,” Davenport stated. She also highlighted risks for Iran, noting that “In the short term, kicking out the IAEA increases the risk of miscalculation.
The U.S. or Israel could use the lack of inspections as a pretext for further strikes.”
Iran has faced multiple nationwide protests in recent years, fueled by economic discontent, demands for women’s rights, and calls for governmental change. In response to these protests and the June conflict, Iran has reportedly accelerated the pace of executions to levels not seen since 1988, when thousands were put to death at the conclusion of the Iran-Iraq war. Human rights groups estimate over 1,000 executions this year, cautioning that the actual figure could be higher as Iran does not publicly report all executions.