A joint attempt by Russia and China to delay the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran collapsed on Friday after the UN Security Council overwhelmingly voted down their resolution.
Only four of the 15 Council members backed the proposal to postpone sanctions for six months, while nine voted against and two abstained. The outcome clears the way for all UN sanctions on Iran to be restored this Sunday at 2 a.m. CET.
The move follows the decision of European powers — Britain, France, and Germany (E3) — to trigger a 30-day snapback mechanism, accusing Tehran of breaching the 2015 nuclear agreement designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear arms.
British UN envoy Barbara Wood said after the vote:
“This Council does not have the necessary guarantees of a clear path toward a swift diplomatic resolution. Therefore, sanctions targeting Iran’s proliferation will be reimposed this weekend.”
Diplomats noted that the resolution stood little chance of passing, as recent negotiations between Iran and the E3 had ended in deadlock.
European leaders — French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer — have signaled that sanctions could still be suspended for six months if Tehran:
- Restores full access to UN nuclear inspectors,
- Addresses concerns about its stockpile of enriched uranium,
- And reopens talks with the United States.
Without such steps, however, the snapback mechanism ensures that the UN’s comprehensive sanctions regime will automatically return into force.
