UN Security Council Clashes Over Iran Sanctions Snapback
The UN Security Council voted 11-2 to proceed with a briefing on Iran sanctions despite attempts by Russia and China to block the meeting.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council clashed on Thursday over the legal validity of sanctions against Iran and the use of the 2015 nuclear accord's snapback provision. The Government of the United Kingdom, France, and the United States asserted that the snapback mechanism was legally activated following Iran's significant non-performance of the 2015 pact, which they claim reinstated six Chapter VII resolutions as of September 28, 2025.
Russia and China attempted to block a briefing on the 1737 Sanctions Committee, arguing that Resolution 2231 expired on October 18, 2025, and that the committee no longer exists. Western representatives countered these claims, accusing Iran of barring UN inspectors from most facilities since June 2025 and stockpiling uranium enriched to 60%.
Russia and China attributed the crisis to U.S. unilateralism and military pressure. Despite these objections, the Security Council voted 11-2 to adopt the provisional agenda, defeating the Russian and Chinese bid to halt the meeting.
