Reflecting the Challenges of International Law in Legitimizing Nuclear Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic of Iran
Keywords:
International Law, Legitimization, Nuclear Sanctions, Islamic Republic of IranAbstract
This study aims to examine international sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, with a particular focus on its nuclear activities, and to analyze the legitimacy of these measures from the perspective of international law. It seeks to evaluate the extent to which the sanctions conform to the principles and rules of international law and their effects on Iran’s legal and political standing within the international system. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, with data collected through library and documentary sources. Content analysis of international documents, Security Council resolutions, multilateral treaties, and legal opinions served as the main data-gathering tool. Using a comparative approach, the legitimacy and effectiveness of the sanctions were critically assessed. Findings indicate that nuclear-related sanctions against Iran have been imposed both by the Security Council and unilaterally by major powers. Unilateral sanctions are predominantly outside the framework of the United Nations Charter, and their legal legitimacy faces serious challenges. The effects of these sanctions extend beyond economic consequences, encompassing significant political and social implications, including impacts on human rights and Iran’s right to development. Legal analysis reveals that, in many cases, the sanctions reflect power dynamics and political objectives of dominant states, undermining their legal validity due to violations of international law principles and fundamental rights of citizens. Conversely, Iran has sought to assert the legitimacy of its peaceful nuclear activities by relying on international law and employing legal diplomatic instruments. The study concludes that nuclear sanctions against Iran are driven more by political and power considerations in the international system than by justifications grounded in international law. Nonetheless, employing proactive legal strategies, strengthening legal diplomacy, and leveraging the discourse of human rights and the right to development can mitigate the harmful effects of sanctions and enhance Iran’s legal legitimacy.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Salman Eshaghi (Author); Alireza Mohammadbeyki; Ahmad Momeni Rad (Author)
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