Moscow – Sputnik. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council rejected a draft resolution proposed by Russia and China regarding the technical extension of the Iranian nuclear deal (Resolution 2231). Russia does not recognize the legitimacy of the E3 group of European countries re-imposing sanctions on Iran. The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that the document allows for certain actions.
Olyanov stated on his ‘X’ account: ‘France, Germany, and the United Kingdom claim success in implementing the Snapback mechanism. However, the procedure in question was seriously violated by the E3 group, and therefore, Russia has every reason to believe that the mechanism is null and void.’
Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, upon his return from New York after attending the United Nations General Assembly, announced that Iran had reached a preliminary agreement with the E3 group regarding issues related to the Iranian nuclear program and Western sanctions, but the U.S. stance prevented the completion of this agreement.
On August 28, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany informed the United Nations Security Council of launching a mechanism to re-impose international sanctions on Iran, which were lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Subsequently, on September 19, the United Nations Security Council rejected a draft resolution on not renewing sanctions on Iran, leading to the re-imposition of Security Council restrictions.
In 2015, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Iran concluded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which provided for sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. During Donald Trump’s previous presidency, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. In response, Iran announced a gradual reduction of its commitments under the agreement, specifically abandoning the restrictions on nuclear research and uranium enrichment levels.
