In a significant escalation at the United Nations, China and Russia have firmly supported Iran in opposing a move by European powers to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran. The diplomatic confrontation threatens to unravel the 2015 nuclear deal and has sparked a fierce war of words over international law.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday strongly condemned the move by three European countries (France, Germany, and the UK) to activate the so-called “Snapback” mechanism and reinstate UN sanctions against Iran. pic.twitter.com/yD7oENbTYq
— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) August 29, 2025
The E3 — France, the UK and Germany — submitted a formal notification to the UN Security Council to trigger the snapback mechanism under Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear agreement. The move sets off a 30-day process that could restore sanctions lifted under the deal.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the initiative as “invalid and legally ineffective,” warning it would suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if the snapback mechanism is enforced.
“This action is a legally defective and politically motivated effort to revive cancelled resolutions,” the ministry said. “It is in clear contradiction to Resolution 2231 and lacks any legal standing.”
Tehran argued the Europeans bypassed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism, which requires a multi-stage process. “As confirmed by several Council members, including China and Russia, the E3 have not completed the legal process required,” the statement said.
Iran slammed the Europeans for aligning with the United States, which withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. “These countries cannot claim to act in good faith while they have long failed to meet their JCPOA obligations,” the ministry said.
The statement pointed to fresh restrictions placed on Iran’s civilian industries and noted continued attacks on nuclear facilities. “Rather than condemning sabotage against Iranian facilities, these countries are rewarding the violator and punishing the victim,” it said.
Iran also cited the E3’s failure to fulfill commitments due on October 18, 2023 — the agreement’s “Transition Day” — including lifting remaining sanctions. “Their ongoing noncompliance disqualifies them from invoking any rights under the deal,” the ministry said.
Warning of wider consequences, Tehran said the move could erode confidence in the Security Council and put peace and security at risk.
Russia and China countered the European move by circulating a draft resolution proposing a six-month “technical extension” of Resolution 2231. The text would suspend substantive JCPOA discussions until April 2026 and urge all sides back to talks.
Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said the Security Council must choose between diplomacy and coercion. “One path leads to diplomacy, peace, and normal human relations. The other path is coercion — the path chosen by France, the UK, and Germany,” he said.
Also, Iran’s UN mission called the moment decisive for diplomacy. “The E3’s response to the Russian-Chinese draft will demonstrate whether they are serious about dialogue or intent on escalating tensions,” it said.
Source: Mehr News Agency
