Iran has recalled its ambassadors to the United Kingdom, France and Germany for consultations following the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions, state media reported on Saturday.

The move comes after the three European countries, known as the E3, triggered a mechanism to “snap back” UN sanctions against Tehran for the first time in a decade, citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. The sanctions are set to take effect at 00:00 GMT on Sunday.

The measures will impose a global ban on cooperation with Iran in nuclear, military, banking and shipping sectors. The announcement has further destabilised Iran’s economy, with the rial tumbling to record lows, trading at over 1.1 million per US dollar in Tehran’s open market.

Attempts by Russia and China to delay the sanctions at the UN Security Council failed, with only four countries backing a draft resolution to block them.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that some inspections had resumed at Iranian sites this week, although it did not specify whether sites affected by recent air strikes were included. Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, criticised the UN watchdog for not condemning the attacks by the US and Israel.

Western powers have rejected Iranian proposals to delay the snapback, stating that insufficient progress had been made despite recent diplomacy at the UN General Assembly.

Source: Al Jazeera