The UN Security Council on Friday missed a chance to extend the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for another six months. A draft resolution put forward by Russia and China received just four votes in favor, nine against and two abstentions1 falling short of the nine positive votes needed for adoption.
The proposal aimed to keep Security Council Resolution 2231 in force and prevent a so-called snapback of UN sanctions on Iran. Algeria, China, Pakistan and Russia voted for the draft, while Guyana and the Republic of Korea abstained. The remaining nine members voted against it.
Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, claim they triggered the snapback mechanism on August 28 by notifying the council of Tehran’s non-performance under the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). If no new resolution is adopted within 30 days, pre-2015 UN sanctions automatically resume.
Critics argue the E3 bypassed the JCPOA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism, which allows 35 days for disputes to be resolved before snapback can be invoked. With Resolution 2231 set to expire on October 18, 2025, this diplomatic standoff may be one of the last major votes on the deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned that his country’s cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency would be terminated if sanctions return. IAEA inspectors remain in Iran for now, following an agreement reached in Cairo on September 9.
As the diplomatic clock ticks down, global observers are watching closely: will diplomacy prevail, or will a new chapter of sanctions and tensions begin?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
