Iran was hit with so-called snapback sanctions on Sunday local time, at a time of high tension in the Middle East. But what does that mean?

The E3, Britain, France, and Germany, confirmed that the sanctions will return over accusations that Iran violated the 2015 deal that aimed to stop it developing a nuclear bomb. The United Nations reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran on Saturday following a process triggered by key European powers that Tehran has warned will be met with a harsh response.

Widespread United Nations sanctions, including an arms embargo, against Iran were reinstated late on Saturday, marking the first time in a decade that the full range of measures has been reimposed. The move follows the collapse of nuclear negotiations between Iran and western powers, reigniting tensions surrounding Tehran's nuclear programme.

With the return of UN sanctions, Iran will again be subjected to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons,

The United Nations will reimpose broad sanctions on Iran after days of frantic diplomacy in New York failed to ease a standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.