Russia and China Veto US Resolution to Extend UN Iran Sanctions Monitoring

Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution on Thursday that aimed to extend the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran for another year. The US-drafted text garnered 11 votes in favour, two against, and two abstentions, including Pakistan.

Vasily Nebenzya, Moscow's UN envoy, criticized the draft resolution as deeply flawed and lacking legal basis. He stated that Washington chose confrontation by putting the measure to a vote, warning it would only increase tensions within the Security Council.

The vote highlighted deep divisions among the 15-member council concerning the validity of UN sanctions on Iran following a dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal's snapback mechanism. Britain, France, and Germany triggered the mechanism in August last year, citing Iran's failure to meet commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Conversely, Russia and China argue that the sanctions were permanently lifted when Resolution 2231 reached its scheduled termination date on October 18, 2025.

Following the vote, the US representative, Jennifer Locetta, accused Russia and China of attempting to prevent independent scrutiny of sanctions violations. Britain's ambassador, Sarah MacIntosh, also criticized the vetoes, accusing Russia and China of shielding Iran and weakening the Security Council's monitoring capabilities.

Despite the veto, officials noted that the sanctions themselves remain fully in force. However, the disagreement has paralyzed the sanctions committee, leaving the panel of experts unconstituted and placing the International Atomic Energy Agency as the primary independent body reporting on Iran's nuclear programme.