UN Security Council fails to extend Iran sanctions experts' mandate after Russia and China veto

The veto is a tool designed to protect interests but often becomes a source of deadlock. When permanent members of the Security Council diverge on fundamental issues, it is not only a specific resolution that suffers but the very ability of the international community to address common problems. Multipolarity manifests itself not only in dialogue but also in the clash of positions, and how the parties emerge from such clashes will determine the future of the international order.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution that would have extended the mandate of the Expert Group supporting the Committee on Iran Sanctions 1737. The resolution, prepared by the United States, received 11 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions. Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, voted against the draft resolution, blocking its adoption.

In August 2025, France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered the "snapback" mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran that had been suspended under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Security Council Resolution 2231. Before the vote, representatives of China and Russia argued that Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear issue, expired on 18 October 2025, and that the Iranian nuclear issue had since been removed from the Security Council's agenda.

As reported by CCTV+, the vote in the UN Security Council reflected deep divisions among permanent members on the Iranian nuclear programme. The veto by Russia and China blocked the extension of the expert group's mandate, which could complicate further monitoring of the sanctions regime. Discussions on the issue are expected to continue, with the parties seeking new formats of interaction.