ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Crippling UN sanctions against Iran took effect late Saturday after multiple rounds of failed talks with European powers.

The sanctions will introduce a global ban on working with companies and individuals accused of cooperating with Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and come after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the “snapback” process.

The European powers accused Iran of non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The snapback mechanism permits the reactivation of UN sanctions if Iran is deemed in violation of its nuclear obligations. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked the three European powers for their “decisiveness and resolve” as the sanctions took effect.

“Six UN resolutions have been reactivated, prohibiting Iranian nuclear enrichment and restoring restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and arms trade,” Rubio said on Sunday. 

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement, stressing that “Iran shall never seek, acquire, or develop a nuclear weapon” and saying that they had “no choice” other than to trigger the snapback. 

"Regrettably, Iran did not take the necessary actions to address our concerns, nor to meet our asks on extension, despite extensive dialogue, including during United Nations High-Level Week. In particular, Iran has not authorised IAEA inspectors to regain access to Iran’s nuclear sites," the statement added.

They urged Iran to return to the negotiating table, saying “the reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy.” 

On Friday, a Russian and Chinese request to delay the reimposition of sanctions on Iran failed. 

On September 9, Araghchi signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Egypt’s Cairo, allowing the UN nuclear watchdog access to Iranian nuclear facilities and resuming work in the country after suspending cooperation with the agency in the wake of the 12 Day War with Israel.