TEHRAN: The impact of US sanctions on Iran, according to an impartial UN expert, has been “devastating,” labelling the restrictions as “illegal” and recommending their lifting.

“We were able to identify (the) severe humanitarian impact of sanctions during our visit,” said Alena Douhan, the UN special rapporteur on unilateral sanctions.

“The sanctions placed against Iran are illegitimate,” Douhan said, speaking to reporters at the end of a 12-day visit to Iran, the first by a special rapporteur to the Islamic country since 2005.

“Lifting them is the best solution,” said Douhan, whose official title is “special rapporteur on the harmful impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.”

Her mission comes amid a deadlock in talks between Iran and Western powers to resurrect a 2015 agreement that relieved Iran of sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

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In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement and slapped punishing sanctions on Iran, prompting the country to backtrack on its nuclear promises.

“I don’t expect them to be lifted right away or in a month,” Douhan added. “My goal here, and the goal of the country visit, is to assess the situation and offer the facts to the world community for discussion.”

The UN Human Rights Council has given Douhan, a law professor from Belarus, a mandate.

Douhan spoke with government officials as well as leaders from civil society organisations, health professionals, and financial institutions during her visit, which began on May 7.

“I’m quite aware that there hasn’t been a country visit in 17 years,” Douhan said, adding that she hoped her tour will be followed by additional UN visits to Iran.

“I’m aware that the administration is now working with the UN to develop a cooperation programme,” she said.

Douhan’s visit comes amid demonstrations in Iran over rising basic commodity costs, which are fueled in part by surging inflation aggravated by US sanctions.