UNITED NATIONS: Russia and China have vetoed a United States-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have authorized UN experts to continue monitoring sanctions on Iran.
The resolution, quashed by the double veto on Thursday, would have extended the mandate for independent monitoring of sanctions that were reimposed last year after Western powers accused Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear pact. Iran firmly denies that it is seeking nuclear weapons or violating the agreement.
The vote in the 15-member Council was 11 in favour to 2 against, with China and Russia voting against, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained.
Explaining Pakistan’s abstention, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad pointed out that consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue has “clearly come a long way from the spirit of cooperation and peaceful settlement of disputes that characterized the adoption of resolution 2231 (2015),” a measure that endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and scheduled the lifting of UN sanctions on Iran.
Expressing regret that “the non-consensual path was chosen, with far-reaching consequences,” he said that diplomacy and dialogue “remain the guiding principle for resolution of outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme”.
Indeed, the dual veto highlights growing friction between Western powers and the Beijing-Moscow alliance over international non-proliferation enforcement and regional security architectures. Western diplomats argued that dismantling the monitoring body weakens global oversight mechanisms’ efficiency at a critical juncture in West Asian diplomacy.
Conversely, Russian and Chinese representatives maintained that existing monitoring structures have become increasingly politicized, arguing that punitive oversight measures fail to foster constructive diplomatic engagement. The move aligns with broader efforts by Moscow and Beijing to push back against Western-led sanctions regimes across global forums.
In his comments, the Pakistani envoy said Pakistan had stressed last September that a non-confrontational and cooperative approach would have better facilitated the quest for a lasting, peaceful solution, while preserving consensus within the Council.
Pakistan, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, continues to believe that diplomacy and dialogue remain the guiding principle for resolution of outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. Pakistan has consistently advocated the primacy of diplomatic engagement and the imperative of avoiding confrontation and conflict.
“We reiterate our position that the Iran nuclear issue should be addressed through peaceful means and in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned.”
The Pakistani envoy also backed the critical role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the technical body entrusted with implementing the respective safeguards agreement. The IAEA, he said, should ensure this important work according to its mandate, independently and without political interference.
He also underscored the need to renew and continue diplomatic engagement to seriously and faithfully address outstanding issues in a cooperative manner, in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties.
“We call on all parties to implement the commitments agreed in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), return to the negotiating table and allow diplomacy to deliver for the sake of regional and international peace and security.”
