UN imposes 'snapback' sanctions on a hungrier, poorer and more anxious Iran

"The United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran early Sunday over its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic as its people increasingly find themselves priced out of the food they need to survive and worried about their futures. The sanctions will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalize any development of Iran's ballistic missile program, among other measures. It came via a mechanism known as "snapback," included in Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers,"

"Iran's rial currency sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table. Meanwhile, people worry about a new round of fighting between Iran and Israel as well as potentially the United States as missile sites struck during the 12-day war in June now appear to be being rebuilt."

"Activists fear a rising wave of repression within the Islamic Republic, which already has reportedly executed more people this year than over the past three decades. Sina, the father of a 12-year-old boy who spoke on condition that only his first name be used for fear of repercussions, said the country has never faced such a challenging time, even during the deprivations of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the decades of sanctions that came later."

The United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal's snapback mechanism, freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals and penalizing ballistic missile development. Iran's economy is strained with the rial at a record low, driving up food prices for staples such as meat and rice and pricing many people out of sufficient food. Concerns exist about renewed military confrontation with Israel and possibly the United States as missile sites damaged in a June 12-day war appear to be rebuilt. Activists report rising repression and a surge in executions this year. Citizens describe worsening economic hardship and shrinking prospects for younger generations.

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