Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
March 12, 2026 Peace and security
The UN Security Council met on Thursday to discuss the work of the committee handling sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program. The meeting was convened by the United States, which holds the Security Council presidency this month.
The Committee, established by resolution 1737 in 2006, suspended its activities following the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, which also suspended previous UN sanctions. The Security Council then unanimously adopted Resolution 2231, in which he endorsed the JCPOA. However, in September 2025, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom initiated a "rapid response mechanism" (snapback), provided by the agreement to restore UN sanctions against Iran. China, the Russian Federation, and Iran disputed the legality of this move, arguing that the sanctions regime ceased to apply in October 2025, when Resolution 2231 expired.
Disagreements among UN Security Council members
Disagreements among Council members prevented consensus on the committee's report. Nevertheless, the United States decided to hold a briefing, at which the countries also discussed Iran's nuclear program and rising tensions in the region.
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Russia, supported by China, questioned the legitimacy of the meeting, claiming that sanctions had been lifted. A Russian representative called for a procedural vote to block the meeting.
The US and UK highlighted nuclear threats
US Representative Michael Waltz called the meeting a "routine, mandated meeting" of the sanctions committee and accused Russia and China of blocking its work. He said the snapback mechanism had reinstated UN sanctions against Iran, including the arms embargo and restrictions on missile technology.
Citing data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he warned that Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapons state producing uranium enriched to 60 percent, raising serious concerns.
In turn, UK Permanent Representative James Kariuki stated that Iran's nuclear and missile programs remain a serious threat to global security. He also expressed solidarity with the Gulf countries affected by the recent attacks. He added that the UK joined more than 130 countries in condemning Iran's actions and supporting the restoration of UN sanctions.
Russia criticized the US and the EU-3
Russia's Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya criticized the majority of Security Council members for what he called their failure to speak out against the "gross violation" of previous Council decisions. He stated that responsibility for the resulting "lawlessness" lies with the US presidency and the countries that support its actions.
Recalling that Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, he said the US, UK, France and Germany have no legal right to initiate the restoration of sanctions against Iran.
According to him, these countries "have deprived themselves of the right to launch a 'snapback' through their chronic violations of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231." He added that the issue should be resolved within the framework of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) at the Vienna forum.
Destabilization in the Middle East
China's Permanent Representative Fu Cong stated that the crisis over Iran's nuclear program was triggered by the US's unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA. He also accused Washington of resorting to military action alongside Israel before the nuclear talks were concluded. Condemning such actions, the Chinese diplomat called on the US to reverse course and return to diplomacy. He also called on European countries to "stop adding fuel to the fire of war" and warned of the risk of using sanctions to advance narrow political interests.
French representative Jérôme Bonnafon, for his part, stated that "primary responsibility" for the current situation in the region lies with Iran. He accused Tehran of destabilizing the Middle East and obstructing IAEA inspections at its nuclear facilities.
He said the size of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is estimated at around 450 kilograms, remains unclear – enough to produce several nuclear warheads.
He called on Member States to support the work of the Sanctions Committee established by Resolution 1737, calling it a peaceful instrument to curb Iran's destabilizing activities.
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