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In a 4–9 vote with two abstentions, the UN Security Council on Friday rejected a Russian-Chinese proposal to delay the snapback of UN sanctions on Iran, which are set to be reinstated Saturday night, 30 days after being triggered by the Europeans.
The resolution aimed to extend sanctions relief under Security Council Resolution 2231 for six months to allow further diplomacy.
Russia, China, Algeria, and Pakistan voted in favor, while the United States, Britain, France, and five other members opposed it. Guyana and South Korea abstained.
Dorothy Shea, Acting US Representative to the UN advised Russia and China to ask Iran for full cooperation instead of postponing the sanctions.
“They must press leaders in Tehran to take meaningful immediate steps to fulfill its commitments and obligations, including by fully cooperating with the IAEA,” Shea said.
British ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward told the Security Council the doors to diplomacy are not yet closed.
"The United Kingdom remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution that ensures Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, while maintaining Iran's right to a civil nuclear program in line with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."
Russia's representative at the meeting said Moscow "had hoped that the US, that European colleagues in the US, would think twice and that they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialog instead of their clumsy blackmail, which merely results in escalation of the situation in the region."
However, the envoy said, "what did we see instead, in the 29 days that have elapsed since then, was the very same typical scenario for Europeans of pressure."
Iran had already warned if the UN sanctions reinstated, it will halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA).
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told the UN Security Council that "Iran put forward several constructive proposals in New York to avert an unnecessary and avoidable crisis, all were ignored."
"I have to remind the distinguished representative of France that two nights ago, I agreed with your foreign minister a framework agreement, but he was not able to get the agreement of the United States," Araghchi said.
Following the Security Council meeting, Araghchi told Iran International that the reimposition of UN sanctions could jeopardize Tehran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.
The snapback mechanism was triggered on August 28 by France, Germany, and the UK (E3), citing Iran's "significant non-performance,” including enriched uranium stockpiles exceeding JCPOA limits and restricted IAEA access to facilities like Natanz and Fordow.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Security Council on Friday that IAEA inspectors are currently in Iran carrying out their work. However, he did not specify which nuclear facilities they had been granted access to.
Earlier in the day, a senior Iranian lawmaker rejected media reports about any current or planned UN inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them “sheer lies” and merely the fantasies of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
"The three European powers and the United States bear full responsibility for the serious consequences of today's decision," Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told the Security Council.
"By ignoring facts, spreading false claims misrepresenting Iran's peaceful program and blocking diplomacy, they have actively and intently paved the way for dangerous escalation."
Iran's foreign minister told the UN Security Council that "Iran put forward several constructive proposals in New York to avert an unnecessary and avoidable crisis, all were ignored."
"I have to remind the distinguished representative of France that two nights ago, I agreed with your foreign minister a framework agreement, but he was not able to get the agreement of the United States," Araghchi said.
Iran’s nuclear program can never be destroyed and the United States will face consequences if it launches new attacks, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said.
With UN sanctions on Iran set to be reinstated on September 28, Tehran will halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Larijani warned.
“We have pursued every option and mechanism available to resolve this conflict peacefully,” he said in an interview with PBS’s Frontline, recorded on September 22 and partially aired Friday.
Larijani warned US President Donald Trump against new attacks, saying Iran will never surrender.
Asked about damage to bombed nuclear sites, Larijani declined to provide details: “We haven't abandoned any of those locations. They could continue operating as they are or be shut down in the future.”
‘Know-how can’t be taken away’
Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran in June, targeting nuclear and military sites as well as key officials. Iran retaliated with drones and ballistic missiles.
On June 22, the United States joined the campaign, striking nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan. A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel was established on June 24.
Iran’s national security chief dismissed assertions that the country’s nuclear capabilities had been destroyed.
“Iran's nuclear program cannot be destroyed. Once a technology is discovered, it can't be taken away. It's like inventing a machine that gets stolen—you can still rebuild it,” Larijani said.
‘Unreasonable terms’
Any talks about curbing Tehran’s missile program are a non-starter, Larijani said.
“The Americans insist we negotiate specifically about Iran's missiles. They’ve demanded no enrichment at all, or missile ranges below 300 kilometers (185 miles), now 500 kilometers (310 miles) — essentially stripping us of key defensive and offensive capabilities.”
US president Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he had offered full cooperation in exchange for Iran suspending its nuclear program, but said his letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was met with threats.
Larijani said the Islamic Republic is open to dialogue but will reject what he called “unreasonable” terms.
