Sanctions on Iran: A Weapon of Discrimination

The United Nations reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran on Saturday following a process triggered by key European powers that Tehran has warned will be met with a harsh response.

Britain, France and Germany triggered the return of sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council over accusations the country has violated a 2015 deal that aimed to stop it developing a nuclear bomb.

The most disappointing fact is that Iran has been persistently denying it seeks nuclear weapons.

The latest “snapback” sanctions on Iran are being propagated as a principled stand for global security. In reality, these are a textbook case of discriminatory politics masquerading as international law.

When European countries and the United Nations reimposed sweeping restrictions on Iran, they claimed it was about enforcing the nuclear deal. But anyone watching global affairs knows the truth - rules are not applied equally.

Some states, Israel being on the top, are allowed to violate treaties, wage wars, and commit human rights abuses without facing meaningful penalties. As against this, Iran is being punished relentlessly and disproportionately for nearly half a century.

This double standard makes the sanctions discriminatory. International law is supposed to be blind, yet it routinely blinks when powerful countries or their allies are in the dock. If a rule is enforced against one country but ignored for another, then it is not law at all—it is selective punishment.

The impact of these sanctions is another form of injustice. These do not primarily weaken Iran’s ruling regime. Instead, these strangle ordinary Iranians—families struggling to buy food, patients unable to access medicines, students cut off from opportunities abroad.

These sanctions drive inflation, hollow out the middle class, and breed resentment. Yet policymakers continue to inflict this suffering while pretending it advances diplomacy.

The legality of the move itself is shaky. Critics, including Russia and China, argue that the so-called snapback mechanism was triggered improperly. If great powers can bend procedures to suit their interests, then the credibility of international agreements collapses. Why would any state trust deals if enforcement depends on politics rather than principle?

Supporters of sanctions insist these are a peaceful alternative to war. But sanctions do not bring peace—these are economic warfare and are designed to coerce, to cripple, and to remind weaker nations of their place in a hierarchy where might makes right.

Scrutiny should come through fair, consistent, and negotiated mechanisms—not through discriminatory punishment imposed by those who selectively police the world. Otherwise, sanctions cease to be instruments of justice and become tools of domination.

Unless international sanctions are applied evenly, transparently, and with safeguards against humanitarian harm, these will continue to deepen global mistrust.

The sanctions will not be accepted as a neutral enforcement of law, but as another weapon of geopolitics. And the more the world tolerates selective justice, the more fragile the entire international order becomes.

If global powers truly want compliance and stability, they must abandon the hypocrisy of discriminatory sanctions. Anything less will only harden grievances, destabilize regions, and erode what little legitimacy international institutions still command.

While the sanctions should be about justice, at present these are about power. It will not be wrong to say that in case of Iran, the power is not being used to usher peace, but to punish the strongest opponent of Israel.

 

 

United States Bombs Iranian Nuclear Facilities

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that a "very successful attack" on three nuclear sites in Iran had been carried out, including at Fordow. In a posting on Truth Social, Trump added, "All planes are safely on their way home" and he congratulated "our great American Warriors."

The action came as Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries.

Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying that it wanted to remove any chance of Tehran developing nuclear weapons.

Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities had so far been unsuccessful.

According to Saudi Gazette, Israel struck a nuclear research facility in Iran early Saturday and killed multiple senior Iranian commanders, as its military warned of a potentially protracted war aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.

The Israeli military said the overnight strike targeted two centrifuge production sites near a mountain in Isfahan in a two-phase operation. It was the second attack on the city since the war began on June 13.

Akbar Salehi, deputy governor for security affairs in Isfahan province, confirmed the attack caused damage but reported no human casualties.

An Israeli military official said recent operations had disabled over half of Iran’s missile and drone launchers. He described Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile barrage overnight as a “small-scale” attack that was mostly intercepted. “We’ve created a bottleneck,” the official said. “But Iran clearly retains capabilities.”

Meanwhile, Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, reported that a drone hit a residential building in northern Israel, though no injuries were reported.

Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, said the army has been instructed to prepare for a “prolonged campaign” focused on eliminating nuclear enrichment facilities and missile infrastructure. “We are deepening our strikes night after night,” he said.

“We will continue until the threat is removed.”

Diplomatic talks in Geneva on Friday failed to yield a breakthrough.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained open to diplomacy but would not engage with the US while Israeli attacks continued. “Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once aggression is stopped,”

Araghchi said, warning that any US military involvement would be “very dangerous for everyone.”

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering US intervention but has delayed a decision for up to two weeks.

Analysts note that only American “bunker-buster” bombs could reach Iran’s underground Fordo enrichment facility.

Since June 13, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 722 people in Iran, including 285 civilians, according to an Iranian human rights group based in Washington. Over 2,500 people have been wounded.

Iran has launched more than 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, killing 24 and injuring hundreds.

Among the most high-profile killings, Israel confirmed the deaths of Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Gen. Hossein Salami, and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh in its opening strikes.

On Saturday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the killing of Saeed Izadi, a senior Quds Force commander tied to Hamas, in an airstrike in Qom.

Another top Quds Force figure, Behnam Shahriyari, allegedly responsible for weapons transfers to Hezbollah and Hamas, was also killed in western Iran.

Israel further claimed it had eliminated a senior Iranian drone commander overnight.

On Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi warned the UN Security Council of the catastrophic risk of targeting Iran’s only commercial nuclear reactor in Bushehr.

“A direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,” Grossi said. So far, Israel has avoided striking the Bushehr plant, instead focusing on facilities at Natanz, centrifuge workshops near Tehran, laboratories in Isfahan, and the Arak heavy water reactor.

Iran, which once accepted international oversight under the 2015 nuclear deal, began ramping up enrichment and curbing inspections after Trump withdrew the US from the agreement.

On Saturday, senior adviser Ali Larijani threatened Grossi in a social media post, blaming his remarks for prompting Israeli aggression. “Grossi will pay after the war,” Larijani wrote, without elaboration.

While Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, it remains the only non-nuclear-weapons state enriching uranium to 60%.

Israel, which has never confirmed possessing nuclear weapons, is widely believed to be the Middle East’s sole nuclear power

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel warns European countries against Palestinian state recognition

According to Reuters, Israel has told four European countries that their plan to work toward recognition of a Palestinian state constituted a prize for terrorism that would reduce the chances of a negotiated resolution to the conflict between the neighbours.

Spain said that in the name of Middle East peace, it had agreed with Ireland, Malta and Slovenia to take first steps toward recognizing statehood declared by the Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza has long been under the rule of the Islamist group Hamas, which rejects peace with Israel and attacked it on October 07, 2023 triggering a devastating war that has stoked violence in the West Bank, where Israel has extensive Jewish settlements.

"Recognition of a Palestinian state following the October massacre sends a message to Hamas and the other Palestinian terrorist organizations that murderous terror attacks on Israelis will be reciprocated with political gestures to the Palestinians," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X.

"A resolution of the conflict will only be possible through direct negotiations between the parties. Any engagement in the recognition of a Palestinian state only distances reaching a resolution and increases regional instability."

Israel governing coalition includes pro-settlement far-rightists has long ruled out Palestinian statehood. That has put it at loggerheads with Western powers which support its goal of defeating Hamas but want a post-war diplomatic blueprint.

Iranian President-elect announces his priorities

Ebrahim Raisi who overwhelmingly won Iranian presidential election on 18^th June 2021 held a press conference on Monday to elaborate on his major domestic and foreign policy priorities.

In his preliminary remarks, the president-elect praised participation of people in the elections, calling it an epic. He said it sent an important message to the entire world.

He said people high turnout in the election took place despite the coronavirus pandemic, propaganda by the enemies, and economic hardship.

Following are excerpts from his remarks:

• The message of the election was to administer justice and fight corruption.  
• My administration will remain loyal to the promises that I have made during the presidential campaigns. 
• To improve the economic condition of the people.
• To administer a law-abiding and effective managerial system.
• I also thank services by the successive governments since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, in certain cases due to mismanagement Iran is facing problems and is lagging behind.
• The world, particularly the West, should realize that the situation in Iran has changed through the people’s vote.
• Our foreign policy will not begin with the JCPOA and will not end with the JCPOA.
• We will seek a balanced relationship with the outside world. 
• National interests will be considered in negotiations with foreigners.
• Negotiations should produce results. 
• The United States should have realized that maximum pressure on Iran has been fruitless.
• The JCPOA has been violated by the United States and the Europeans have also not abided by their commitments under the multilateral agreement.
• Iran wants Europeans to commit themselves to their obligations. 
• Liquidity should be managed. It should be directed toward the production sector. 
• We will make production enticing.
• And we also should administer an effective tax system and make certain business activities like those in gold market and housing unattractive.
• All sanctions must be lifted and their removal must be verified. America must abide by its commitments under the nuclear agreement.
• As a lawyer I defend human rights 
• As a lawyer I have always defended the people’s rights. I have defended human rights.
• Those who have violated the rights of people in the world must be held answerable.
• Those who have defended the rights of the people should be praised. 
• Even today I consider myself tasked to defend the right of all people all around the world. 
• This is my honor as prosecutor general to defend the rights and welfare of the people.
• Bident must lift all sanctions.
• Biden must prove his sincerity by lifting all sanctions.
• The Iranian people don’t have a good memory about the JCPOA.
• The Iranian missile program is not subject for negotiations. Why does the US which has not honored its commitments under the JCPOA is talking about other issues? 
• Certain Western countries are now home to assassinators of Ayatollah Mohammad Hossein Beheshti and prime minister Mohammad Ali Rajaei.
• The West must now be held accountable that why has it been hosting murders of Ayatollah Beheshti.
• Professionalism, revolutionary spirit, have the will to fight corruption will be the chief criterion for forming the government.
• We definitely pursue for implementation of comprehensive partnership with China
• We have a good relationship with China since the Islamic Revolution. There is great potential for cooperation. 
• Implementing the (25-year) comprehensive partnership will definitely be on the agenda.
• The Islamic Republic has been insisting on referendum for settling the Palestine conflict.
• Iran has always been defender of the oppressed people including the Palestinians and this has been stated in the constitution and being insisted on by Imam Khomeini and Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
• Saudis and it allies should stop war on Yemen. This war should be stopped immediately. Yemen should be managed by the Yemenis themselves.
• Iran, Saudi Arabia can reopen embassies. 
• Our priority is relations with neighbors. 
• In view of the Islamic Republic reopening embassies between Iran and Saudi Arabia is something that can happen.
• There should be no problem for relations between the two countries (Iran and Saudi Arabia) as well as dialogue with all regional countries 
• Investment by Iranians abroad is a priority.
• Helping Iranians return to the country is also on the agenda.
• The entrance of Iranians to the country should be facilitated.
• Investment by the Iranians living abroad in the country is highly prioritized. 
• Safety is for all and all investors should know that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the safest places for investment and the government guarantees it.
• Talented persons can propose their views on better management of the country and a mechanism has been devised in which experts can present their ideas.