Russia, China push UN draft to delay Iran sanctions

Russia and China have proposed a new UN Security Council resolution aimed at delaying the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran, in a move likely to complicate Western efforts to hold Tehran accountable over its nuclear programme.

According to Caliber.Az the draft resolution removes a previous clause that effectively blocked European nations from using the so-called snapback mechanism, but analysts say it faces an uphill battle in gaining approval, Wall Street Journal correspondent Lawrence Norman said on X.

At the heart of the dispute is the absence of any conditions for Iran during the proposed delay, a position opposed by the United States and the UK, France, and Germany.

Observers warn that without clear provisions for enforcing snapback if Iran violates the 2015 nuclear deal, the resolution may fail to secure sufficient support.

The snapback mechanism, enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231, allows sanctions to be reinstated if Iran is found to breach the nuclear accord.

In late August, the three European powers formally triggered the process, citing Tehran’s accumulation of highly enriched uranium.

In response, Iran, alongside Russia and China, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council condemning the European initiative.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attempt to reinstate sanctions as “politically destructive,” highlighting the growing international divisions over Iran’s nuclear activities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev