UN Nuclear watchdogs allowed back delaying sanctions.

Iran is set to face sweeping United Nations sanctions late Saturday for the first time in a decade, following the breakdown of nuclear talks with Western powers.

Although the UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed that inspectors had been allowed back into Iranian sites, European and U.S. negotiators said progress was insufficient to justify delaying the sanctions.

A month earlier, European nations triggered the “snapback” mechanism, accusing Tehran of concealing aspects of its nuclear activities and retaliating against Israeli and U.S. attacks.

The sanctions, scheduled to take effect at 0000 GMT on Sunday (8:00 pm Saturday in New York), will impose a global ban on dealings with companies, individuals, and organisations linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the pressure, insisting his country would never seek nuclear weapons and accusing the U.S. of pushing Europe away from compromise.

He rejected a French proposal that Iran surrender its enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for a temporary sanctions delay, calling it a “trap.”

While Washington has left the door open for further talks, Tehran has accused U.S. envoys of lacking seriousness. Meanwhile, Russia and China attempted to postpone the sanctions until April but failed to secure enough support at the Security Council.