Russia and China have vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that sought to extend the mandate of UN experts tasked with monitoring sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. The resolution, which was proposed by the United States, garnered 11 votes in favor but was blocked by the two permanent members. Somalia and Pakistan chose to abstain from the vote.
The rejected resolution aimed to prolong the experts’ mandate for an additional year, with the U.S. emphasizing the need for independent oversight to document potential violations and sanction evasion. Despite the veto, existing UN sanctions on Iran remain active, including measures focused on Iranian assets, arms-related activities, and the country’s ballistic missile program.
These sanctions were reinstated in September 2025 under the “snapback” mechanism included in the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. This mechanism allows for the restoration of the Security Council’s sanctions framework and supports expert monitoring of compliance. However, Russia has contested the legality of this mechanism and the proposed extension, arguing it lacks a legal basis. China also opposed the resolution.
The recent vote occurs amid ongoing international concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly as UN nuclear inspectors have faced challenges in verifying the status of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile after attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025. With the expert panel’s mandate not extended, questions linger on how sanctions enforcement will be monitored and reported to the Security Council moving forward.