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United Nations. Security Council

Iran Fails to Prevent Reimposition of Sanctions After UN Security Council Vote

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The international community moved closer to a heightened state of tension with Iran on Friday, after the UN Security Council voted down a resolution sponsored by Russia and China to extend the deadline for reimposing global sanctions lifted by the 2015 nuclear deal. The so-called "snapback" sanctions, set to take effect this weekend, include a conventional arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, and restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program, along with travel bans and asset freezes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council voted down a resolution sponsored by Russia and China to extend the deadline for reimposing global sanctions lifted by the 2015 nuclear deal.
  • The snapback sanctions, set to take effect this weekend, include a conventional arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, and restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program.
  • The sanctions also include travel bans and asset freezes.
  • Only Algeria and Pakistan joined Russia and China in supporting the resolution, while Britain, France, and Germany vetoed the delay measure.
  • Iran's leadership had hoped to "get maximum sanctions relief" in exchange for the "bare minimum on nuclear and maximum maintaining enrichment."
  • The US has employed a policy of "maximum pressure" with U.S. sanctions, including a massive bombing campaign to destroy the two main facilities at the heart of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Statistics:

  • 15 members of the UN Security Council voted on the resolution, with only 3 (Russia, China, and Algeria) supporting the delay.
  • 12 members of the Security Council (including Britain, France, and Germany) voted against the resolution.
  • 30 days was the deadline given to Iran for compliance with the terms of the original deal.
  • 2015 marked the year the original nuclear deal was signed, involving Britain, France, Germany, the US, the EU, Russia, and China.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post report by Karen DeYoung and John Hudson, dated September 18, 2021.
  • Russian representative Dmitry Polyanskiy's statement following the vote.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's address to the UN Security Council.
  • French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont's exchange with Araghchi during the council meeting.
  • Negotiations between Washington and Tehran in pursuit of a "better deal" to contain Iran's uranium enrichment program, featuring Steve Witkoff and Ali Khamenei.
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's address to journalists and academics in New York.

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