The UN Security Council voted on Friday to reject a resolution introduced by Russia and China that sought to delay the reimposition of sanctions on Iran. With the vote, the long-standing “snapback” mechanism of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will be triggered, reinstating all prior UN sanctions against Tehran starting Saturday.
In the final tally, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Algeria voted in favor of the motion, while nine countries opposed and two abstained—ensuring its failure. The outcome effectively seals the end of the JCPOA, once hailed as a landmark nuclear agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the decision during remarks to the Security Council, declaring:
“Iran will never recognize this illegal attempt to reimpose sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA. Today’s situation is the direct consequence of the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA, and the E3 and EU’s failure to take any effective measure to uphold their commitments.”
Araghchi further warned that Tehran’s trust in Western powers was now “completely broken,” echoing the consistent position of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has argued that negotiations with the West bring little benefit to Iran.
Russia and China reiterated that they would not recognize the sanctions, denouncing them as illegitimate on the grounds that the European signatories—the U.K., France, and Germany—had already failed to uphold their own obligations under the JCPOA.
Tehran has already signaled that it will cease cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the vote. While Iran has not explicitly stated whether it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), officials have suggested that option is now under review.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected in Washington on Monday for his fourth visit this year. Analysts believe he will use the collapse of the JCPOA and the renewed sanctions as leverage to press the Trump administration into authorizing a new round of military action against Iran.