The UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution on Friday that would have prevented the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program before the deadline for the “snapping back” of punitive measures.
UN sanctions on Iran are set to be re-established at the end of the month unless the nine-member security council agrees to further extend sanctions relief. Friday’s resolution, put forth by South Korea, only received support from four countries – China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria.
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly stressed the illegality of European countries’ actions to restore sanctions against Iran within the framework of the UN Security Council. This was reiterated by the Russian Foreign Ministry on September 20.
“The Russian side has repeatedly pointed out the provocative and illegal nature of the actions of the European countries participating in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and the South Korean presidency of the UN Security Council, which is under their influence,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.
As the UNSC convened for a meeting on Iran sanctions on Friday, Russia, backed by China, Algeria and Pakistan, defended the continued lifting of sanctions against Iran, while Western countries and the United States tried to restore restrictions, despite the decision on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
