Joint Letter by Iran, Russia, and China on Ending Resolution 2231
WANA (Oct 18) – The ambassadors of Iran, Russia, and China to the United Nations have sent a joint letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council regarding the termination of Resolution 2231.
In this letter, the three countries described the recent move by the European trio (the UK, France, and Germany) to trigger the “snapback” mechanism as legally and procedurally flawed and devoid of any legal standing. They further stated that the full and timely conclusion of the resolution marks the end of the Security Council’s consideration of Iran’s nuclear issue.
The letter reads: “We are pleased to refer to the joint letter dated 28 August 2025 from the Foreign Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Russian Federation, which has been circulated to both the Security Council and the General Assembly. That communication outlines our countries’ shared position regarding the recent actions of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—actions they claim to have taken under Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).”
Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of Iran, had earlier announced the submission of this letter.
The letter continues: “We reiterate that the attempt by the three European countries to invoke the so-called ‘snapback mechanism’ is, by its very nature, legally and procedurally defective and therefore invalid. These countries, having failed to implement their own obligations under the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and having not followed the procedures set forth in the ‘dispute resolution mechanism,’ lack any standing to invoke its provisions.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Statement on the Termination of UN Resolution 2231
WANA (Oct 18) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement today (Saturday, October 18, 2025) regarding the termination of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The statement reads as follows: As previously emphasized in Iran’s official positions and statements concerning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) […]
It further states: “In this regard, we emphasize that, in accordance with operative paragraph 8 of Resolution 2231, all its provisions have terminated as of 18 October 2025. We reaffirm that the complete and timely conclusion of Resolution 2231 signifies the end of the Security Council’s consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue—a development that strengthens the authority of the Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy.”
The three countries also stressed: “It is essential that all relevant parties remain committed to finding a political solution through engagement and diplomatic dialogue, based on mutual respect and addressing the concerns of all sides. They must refrain from unilateral sanctions, threats of the use of force, or any actions that could escalate tensions. All states should contribute to creating a favorable atmosphere and appropriate conditions for the continuation of diplomatic efforts.”
The letter concludes by requesting that it be circulated as an official document of the Security Council.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in his own letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, declared: “Resolution 2231 has now definitively expired and terminated. Any claim to ‘revive’ or ‘reimpose’ terminated resolutions is null and void, has no legal basis, and cannot produce any binding legal effect.”
Nuclear deal negotiators pose for a photo at the UN building in Vienna, Austria.
