UN Security Council decides not to lift Iran sanctions

The United Nations Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution on Friday to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, but Tehran and key European powers still have eight days to try and agree to a delay.

The 15-member U.N. Security Council was required to vote on the draft resolution on Friday after Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process on August 28 to reimpose U.N. sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies having any such intention.

Russia, China, Pakistan and Algeria voted in favor of the draft text on Friday. Nine members voted against and two abstained. The Security Council vote has now set up a week of intense diplomacy while world leaders – including Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian – are in New York for the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly.

“The door for diplomacy is not closed, but it will be Iran, not adversaries, who decide with whom and on what basis to engage,” Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told reporters after the vote.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet with his European counterparts in New York next week on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, he said, adding that Friday’s divided vote showed there was “no consensus in the council”.

“This decision weakens diplomacy and risks dangerous consequences for non-proliferation,” Iravani said.

Britain, France and Germany have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months – to allow space for talks on a long-term deal on Tehran’s nuclear program – if Iran restores access for U.N. nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.

“Without these most basic conditions being met, there is no clear path to a swift diplomatic solution,” Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council. “We are ready for further engagements, diplomatically, in the next week, and beyond to seek to resolve differences.”

Any delay on reimposing sanctions would require a Security Council resolution. If a deal on an extension can’t be reached by the end of September 27, then all U.N. sanctions will be reimposed.

Pakistan emphasised the need to address the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme through dialogue during a United Nations meeting, where Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, said that the use of force would only complicate matters.

According to the details, Asim Iftikhar said that Pakistan firmly believes that all matters related to Iran’s nuclear programme should be resolved peacefully, through dialogue and cooperation. He said diplomacy must be given more time to succeed, and avoiding conflict is essential, as it could make the situation more complex.

He added that as a close neighbour and friend of Iran, Pakistan does not support any step that could destabilise the region, which is already facing multiple crises. The region cannot bear further tension. He said diplomacy and intimidation cannot go hand in hand. At this stage, diplomacy should also be given a chance. This approach should be prioritised, and a peaceful, negotiated solution must never be compromised.