United Nations sanctions on Iran will be reimposed this weekend after a last-ditch effort by China and Russia to delay the measures failed at the Security Council, escalating tensions between Tehran and Western powers. The resolution, supported by only four of the 15 council members, collapsed amid warnings from Iran that the West would bear responsibility for the fallout.
The decision follows a contentious vote on Friday, with Britain's UN envoy Barbara Wood stating the council had fulfilled procedural steps under Resolution 2231, triggering the automatic return of sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The move comes as diplomatic efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal falter, raising concerns over regional stability.
Tehran condemned the sanctions restoration as a 'political gamble,' vowing a 'firm response' to what it called a violation of international commitments. Analysts warn the snapback could further destabilize Middle East security and complicate economic recovery efforts amid global energy market uncertainties.
China and Russia, key trade partners of Iran, criticized the sanctions as counterproductive. Their failed resolution highlighted deepening divisions among major powers over how to address Iran's nuclear ambitions. Wood emphasized the lack of a 'clear path to a swift diplomatic solution,' underscoring the challenges facing multilateral negotiations.
