ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iran’s foreign ministry on Sunday condemned as “baseless and unjustifiable” the return of deep UN sanctions over its nuclear program, calling on world countries to refrain from abiding by the “illegal” decision. 

The UN early Sunday reimposed the “snapback” mechanism on Iran after talks between Western powers and the Islamic republic to reach a compromise over its nuclear program faltered. 

The sanctions will introduce a global ban on working with companies and individuals accused of cooperating with Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. 

“The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable … all countries must refrain from recognizing this illegal decision,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

It asserted that the Islamic republic will “firmly defend its national rights and interests,” adding that it will provide a “firm and appropriate response” to “any action aimed at undermining the rights and interests of its people.” 

The reinstatement of sanctions came after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the “snapback” mechanism, accusing Iran of non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 

In a joint statement earlier on Sunday, the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany urged Iran to return to the negotiating table, saying, “The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy.” 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also called on Tehran to “accept direct talks, held in good faith.”