Australia and New Zealand said they will implement revived United Nations sanctions on Iran, officials told Iran International, backing a decision by France, Germany and Britain to trigger the snapback mechanism over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Australia supports the decision of France, Germany and the UK (the E3) to trigger the ‘snapback’ mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told Iran International.
The spokesperson said Iran must be held accountable for its “longstanding non-performance” of nuclear commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Australia called on Iran to return to talks and reach a diplomatic solution “which provides assurances that it can never develop a nuclear weapon.”
Canberra said it is obliged under international law to implement Security Council sanctions and will do so through amendments to domestic regulations, which may take time.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” about Iran’s non-compliance and that work was underway on regulatory changes.
“As a UN Member State, New Zealand is bound to implement sanctions imposed by the UNSC,” the ministry said in a statement. “We advise New Zealanders to apply heightened due diligence in reviewing any ongoing transactions during this interim period.”
The United Nations sanctions, reimposed on Sept. 28, include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and military activities, asset freezes on designated entities, and a duty to “exercise vigilance” when doing business with Iran.
Western powers say Iran left no choice
France, Germany and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement the reimposition of sanctions was unavoidable after Iran’s “persistent breaches” of the 2015 nuclear deal, citing enriched uranium stockpiles 48 times above agreed limits.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the sanctions were a “serious mistake” by Tehran’s rulers that harmed ordinary Iranians, but added diplomacy was still possible. “Iran must never come into possession of a nuclear weapon,” he told Funke media group, urging a “negotiated solution to resolve this issue permanently.”
The European Union also reinstated sweeping restrictions this week on Iran’s oil, banking, transport and trade sectors. Tehran has rejected the sanctions as illegal and said all restrictions under Resolution 2231 must expire on October 18.
