WANA (Sep 19) –The United Nations Security Council on Thursday rejected a draft resolution submitted by South Korea, the council’s rotating president, which called for the continuation of sanctions relief on Iran. The draft, introduced under Paragraph 11 of Resolution 2231 (2015) to prevent the automatic reimposition of UN sanctions against Iran, received only four votes in favor, while nine countries opposed and two abstained.

 

The vote breakdown was as follows:

In favor: China, Russia, Pakistan, Algeria

Against: United States, United Kingdom, France, Greece, Denmark, Slovenia, Panama, Sierra Leone, Somalia

Abstentions: South Korea and Guyana

 

According to Security Council procedures, any draft resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes to pass. As expected, the South Korean draft failed to secure the necessary support. Diplomats noted that the vote was brought forward under pressure from the United States and the three European powers (Britain, France, and Germany), who have sought to increase pressure on Iran ahead of the 30-day deadline for triggering the so-called “snapback” mechanism.

 

The result means that, unless the dispute among parties is resolved, suspended UN sanctions on Iran will automatically be reinstated on September 28. The snapback mechanism allows the restoration of prior UN sanctions unless a new resolution is adopted within the 30-day window.

Diplomacy Against the Snapback Mechanism . JCPOA

Diplomacy Against the Snapback Mechanism . JCPOA

The South Korean draft had stated that, under Article 41 of the UN Charter, the provisions of earlier Security Council resolutions (1696 through 2224) would remain terminated. However, strong opposition from Western members prevented its adoption.

 

The three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal (Germany, France, and the UK) formally launched the snapback process on August 28, 2025, alleging that Iran had committed “significant non-compliance” with its nuclear obligations. Under Resolution 2231, if no member submits a draft to extend sanctions relief within 10 days, the council president must present one within 30 days. South Korea’s draft was therefore submitted as a procedural requirement.

 

With the resolution now defeated, the countdown continues until September 26, the expiry of the 30-day period. Western powers are expected to use this time to intensify pressure on Tehran to accept their demands.

 

In response, Russia’s envoy stated: “The reimposition of sanctions on Iran has no legal basis, and Moscow does not recognize it.” China likewise opposed the snapback move and called for continued diplomacy.

Iran. sanction

Reactions Following the Rejection of the Resolution

China’s representative to the UN said that Iran’s efforts must be recognized and that sanctions should be suspended for a period of time. He stressed the need to focus on finding a political solution to Iran’s nuclear issue and urged the United States to reopen the path to negotiations with Tehran. He added that U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities had undermined the talks.

 

The U.S. representative to the UN stated that Washington’s negative vote on extending sanctions relief for Iran did not mean rejecting diplomacy. He said that President Trump had repeatedly expressed America’s willingness for direct and time-bound talks with Iran, adding that the international community should not accept what he called Iran’s “incomplete efforts” on its nuclear file.

 

Russia’s envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, emphasized that lifting sanctions on Iran was the only right and reasonable course of action, insisting that there was no alternative.

 

Algeria’s representative to the Security Council stressed that there was no military solution to Iran’s nuclear issue and warned that a policy of maximum pressure would only harm the process.

 

Pakistan’s representative to the Security Council said that diplomacy must be given a chance, cautioning that diplomacy and intimidation should not go hand in hand.