UN Security Council Fails to Delay Iran Sanctions Amid Ongoing Negotiations

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, is shown on a screen as he addresses members of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday. Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The United Nations Security Council did not adopt the proposed text of the resolution, which would have made the suspension of sanctions against Iran an eternal and final decision. At the same time, the negotiating parties understand that the sides still have eight days to reach an agreement on a long-term extension of the measures.

The 15-member Security Council was required to vote on this document by the end of the week after the United Kingdom, France and Germany on August 28 began a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions, accusing Iran of violating the 2015 conditions for preventing the development of nuclear weapons. Tehran denies such intentions, stressing that Washington is not honoring the agreements.

In the vote, Russia, China, Pakistan and Algeria supported the text, while nine countries opposed, and two members abstained from taking a position.

That very vote kicked off a week of active diplomacy during the presence of world leaders in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, as the parties seek a path to a compromise on Iran’s nuclear program.

Representatives of the United Kingdom, France and Germany proposed delaying the re-imposition of sanctions for six months – to create space for negotiations on a long-term agreement, provided that Iran allows access for UN nuclear-safety inspectors, reviews its stockpiles of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.

Without meeting these basic conditions there is no clear path to a swift diplomatic solution. We regret that Iran has not yet taken these steps, and urge it to act now.

Any postponement requires the adoption of a new Security Council resolution. If an agreement to extend cannot be reached by the end of the month, all UN sanctions will be restored.

Moreover, President Donald Trump continues to emphasize the United States’ willingness for a meaningful, direct and time-limited dialogue with Iran – both before the completion of the process of reimposing sanctions on September 27, and after.

French Permanent Representative Jérôme Bonnafon noted that during the opening of the 30-day period known as the “snapback,” the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom twice met with the Iranian counterpart to seek a compromise.

Our hand remains extended in pursuit of a negotiated settlement, – he said before the vote.

At the same time, Iran’s allies – Russia and China – completed drafting a Security Council resolution draft that would extend the 2015 agreement for six months and calls on all sides to immediately resume negotiations. An official vote on this matter has not yet been held, but an active phase of discussion is expected during the next Security Council sessions.

Outlook and contours of action for the future

Participants in the talks emphasize that a decision to postpone requires a clear agreement on a long-term regime of control over Iran’s nuclear program and reciprocal steps by all sides involved. The main goal is to avoid a sharp reimposition of sanctions that could affect global security and the energy market, but also to ensure concrete steps toward reducing tensions between Iran and Western countries.

Analysts stress that any decision will remain contingent on the willingness of all parties to act in unison, adhering to the core principles of the 2015 agreement and the key transparent inspection mechanisms. Therefore, diplomacy at the UN General Assembly will continue to serve as a platform for reaching compromises and defining clear terms for resuming negotiations.