Why it matters:
The U.K.’s new sanctions, targeting key Iranian figures and companies, affect political relations between the two countries. Iran’s strong reaction shows the importance of respecting international law.
The big picture:
The U.K. has imposed sanctions on Iran in several waves, starting after the Islamic Revolution. These sanctions targeted Iran’s banking, oil, and military sectors and intensified alongside UN and EU measures. After the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), part of the sanctions were lifted, but following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, the U.K. reimposed more sanctions targeting individuals and entities in the name of human rights abuses, terrorism, and regional destabilization. Iran has consistently condemned the sanctions as illegal and politically motivated.
Key points:
- The U.K. has imposed sanctions on over 450 Iranian individuals, companies, and entities.
- Iran emphasizes its commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
- Tehran identifies Israel as the main source of instability in the region and urges Western countries to take serious action against its crimes.
Go deeper:
Iran Slams U.S. Sanctions on ICC Judges as ‘Complicity in Genocide’
Neda Sajjadi - seyed mohammad kazemi
