UN Security Council fails to adopt resolution on extension of Iran nuclear deal

The UN Security Council rejected a China-Russia resolution to extend the Iran nuclear deal for six months, setting the stage for a sanctions “snapback” as disputes over legality and compliance intensify.

United Nations: The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a resolution seeking to extend the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for six months to allow time for further diplomacy.

The draft resolution, tabled by China and Russia, received four votes in favour, nine against, and two abstentions — falling short of the nine positive votes required for adoption, Xinhua reported.

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If adopted, the draft would have extended the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the nuclear deal between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — as well as Resolution 2231 that endorsed the accord, for another six months. This would have prevented a “snapback” of UN sanctions against Iran.

Friday’s voting outcome mirrored that of September 19, when a similar draft resolution by South Korea, then Council president, also failed. That proposal sought to continue sanctions relief for Iran.

Algeria, China, Pakistan, and Russia supported Friday’s draft, while Guyana and South Korea abstained. The remaining nine members, including Britain, France, and the US, voted against it.

Britain, France, and Germany — the European signatories to the JCPOA — said they had already triggered the snapback mechanism on August 28 by notifying the Council of Tehran’s “non-performance.”

Under Resolution 2231, pre-existing UN sanctions automatically resume 30 days after notification, unless the Council adopts a resolution to block the move. The September 19 draft failed to pass, leaving sanctions reinstatement on track.

However, the legality of the European move has been questioned, as it bypassed the JCPOA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM), which allows 35 days to resolve disagreements. A snapback can be invoked only if the DRM process fails.

Resolution 2231 itself is due to expire on October 18, 2025, after which the Security Council will no longer be seized of the Iran nuclear file.