UN Security Council fails to extend Iran sanctions panel after China, Russia veto

Pakistan did not participate in the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) vote on Thursday that sought to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts aiding the council’s Iran sanctions committee. The resolution was defeated, following the votes against it from China and Russia, both of which are permanent members of the Security Council. The seven other council members, including the United States, Britain, and France, voted in favor of the measure. Pakistan, along with two others, abstained.

The talks on the draft resolution highlighted the significant divide within the council regarding the Iran nuclear issue, particularly concerning the implementation of the "snapback" mechanism. This mechanism, mentioned during the draft resolution, is designed to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran if the country violates the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015. China and Russia have consistently opposed the legality and procedure of the snapback mechanism.

In his explanation for Pakistan's abstention, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the permanent representative of Pakistan, emphasized that the Iran nuclear issue had become increasingly complex, and the council had deviated from the principles of cooperation and peaceful resolution that characterized the adoption of Resolution 2231 in 2015.

Pakistan remains committed to the principle of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving the outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear program. The US draft resolution extended the Panel of Experts’ mandate until September 2027, requesting the panel to provide recommendations on updating sanctions, preparing quarterly reports, and delivering an annual report to the UNSC.

The Panel of Experts was established under UNSC Resolution 1929 in 2010 and has been monitoring Iran’s compliance with imposed measures ever since. Pakistan’s abstention underscores its stance that the Iran issue should be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation.