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.
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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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