UN Security Council did not approve the postponement of the snapback mechanism
Members of the United Nations Security Council convened to review and vote on the draft resolution proposed by Russia and China, which called for a six‑month technical extension of Resolution 2231 (from 18 April 2026 / 6 Ordibehesht 1405). The purpose of this proposal was to allow the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to use the opportunity for dialogue and to overcome existing obstacles.
Earlier, South Korea, as the rotating president of the Security Council, had submitted a draft resolution entitled “Continuation of the lifting of sanctions against Iran” under paragraph 11 of Resolution 2231 (2015). This draft was put to a vote on 19 September (28 Shahrivar) but received only four votes in favor out of 15 members; nine countries voted against and two abstained, and thus it was not adopted.
Subsequently, three European countries (the United Kingdom, Germany, and France), accusing the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA) — without mentioning the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the deal in 2018 or the breaches by the European parties — initiated the 30‑day process of activating the “snapback mechanism.” This move has been assessed as aligned with Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.
It should be noted that for any resolution to be adopted in the Security Council, at least nine affirmative votes out of 15 are required, along with no veto from the permanent members.
A new phase of regional and international tensions
Nevertheless, the draft resolution submitted by Russia and China on suspending the snapback mechanism also failed in the vote, receiving only four votes in favor, nine against, and two abstentions. Accordingly, the United Nations will proceed with the path of reimposing sanctions — an event that may mark the beginning of a new phase of regional and international tensions.
