Russia and China Block UN Push to Revive Iran Sanctions Committee Amid Escalating Nuclear Tensions

Russia and China firmly opposed a UN Security Council push on Thursday to fully reactivate the committee overseeing sanctions on Iran, while simultaneously urging Tehran to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. This diplomatic friction follows a decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors to refer Iran to the Security Council regarding its nuclear non-compliance, which has significantly heightened international pressure on Tehran.

Rejecting the initiative to revive the committee, Russian envoy Vasily Nebenzya stated that Moscow would not permit sanctions on Tehran to be reimposed under any circumstances. He accused Western powers of distorting the facts surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, adding that the Russian Federation categorically repudiates attempts to manipulate the authority of the Security Council to settle political scores with Tehran. According to Mr Nebenzya, such irresponsible actions push the prospect of a negotiated solution further out of reach.

The Security Council initially established the 1737 Sanctions Committee in 2006 to manage sanctions linked to Iran's nuclear programme, though it became defunct following the 2015 nuclear agreement. Although the committee was formally restored after the reimposition of UN sanctions last year, it has remained largely paralysed due to disputes with Russia and China over the legality of the sanctions snapback, leaving it without a chair or a reconstituted panel of experts.

Britain's ambassador Sarah MacIntosh emphasised that all UN member states are legally required to implement sanctions resolutions on Iran, including the arms embargo. Stating that the UN Charter mandates the full implementation of these Chapter 7 resolutions, Ms MacIntosh urged the prompt appointment of a chair and members of the panel of experts. She noted that Iran has restricted IAEA inspectors' access to nuclear sites since June 2025 and called on Tehran to choose diplomacy by addressing international concerns, cooperating with the IAEA, and restoring transparency.

Meanwhile, US representative for special political affairs Jennifer Loretta indicated that Washington will collaborate with partners to explore options that ensure adequate infrastructure to support these goals. Bahrain's ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei also called on council members to urgently reach a consensus on appointing the panel of experts, highlighting that Bahrain and other regional nations have faced severe consequences from Iranian ballistic missiles, drones targeting civilians and critical infrastructure, and threats to international maritime security.