live Ceasefire strains as Israel intensifies attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon killing hundreds - Thursday 9 April
Iran suggested it would be "unreasonable" to proceed with talks to forge a permanent peace d...
On Friday, the UN Security Council vetoed a draft resolution to extend the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program until April 18, 2026.
The draft, proposed by Russia and China, also aimed to delay the "snapback" mechanism of sanctions against Iran, which is set to take effect on September 28 after being triggered by France and the UK.
The resolution garnered only four votes in favor, with nine votes against and two abstentions.
Countries including the UK, France, Denmark, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Panama, the U.S., Greece, and Somalia voted against it.
Before the vote, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said the draft would provide "room for seeking an acceptable solution for all." He added that this was "a moment of truth for each member of the Security Council" and urged members to make the right decision.
China's deputy UN envoy, Geng Shuang, referred to the U.S. and Israel's strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, arguing that it complicated the issue. He emphasized that the draft resolution was not about choosing sides between Iran and the E3, but about allowing more time for diplomatic efforts and facilitating a political solution. Geng called for a vote in favor of the resolution to extend the agreement, promoting dialogue over division.
Following the vote, the German Foreign Office expressed support for the outcome on social media, calling the rejection of the resolution a clear endorsement of the snapback process. The snapback mechanism is set to go into effect at 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28. The E3, which includes the UK, France, and Germany, remains committed to seeking a diplomatic resolution.
The 2015 nuclear agreement placed limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, and Iran agreed to allow international inspections to ensure its program was for peaceful purposes. However, after the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, Tehran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing it of bias.
On August 28, the E3 triggered the snapback mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which will reinstate sanctions in 30 days if Iran fails to comply with its obligations.
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving no agreed international framework for securing the vital route.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah said it had stopped firing on northern Israel and Israeli forces on Wednesday as part of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East brokered between the United States and Iran. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker warned that the pause could collapse if Tel Aviv does not adhere to it.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate two-week ceasefire covering all areas, but Israel says the deal excludes Lebanon. Tel Aviv says the U.S. is committed to achieving shared goals in upcoming negotiations.
Recent U.S. complaints about NATO allies and threats to quit the alliance are pushing European countries to seek alternative security arrangements, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Tuesday.
Construction has begun on a major new solar power project in Xizang, as China continues to expand its renewable energy capacity and push towards a greener future.
At least four people died after a small dinghy carrying migrants to Britain sank in the English Channel, French authorities announced on Thursday.
North Korea has tested a new cluster-bomb warhead mounted on a tactical ballistic missile, alongside advanced electromagnetic and infrastructure-targeting weapons, in a significant escalation of its military capabilities.
A barrage of Russian drones targeted and damaged a critical power substation in Ukraine's southern Odesa region on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials confirmed.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 9 April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Greece will ban access to social media for children under 15 from 1 January 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems and the addictive design of online platforms.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment