U.S., UK, France veto UN Security Council resolution to delay 'snapback' sanctions on Iran

Anadolu Agency

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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