US sanctions target Iran's auto, rail sectors as blockade chokes ship lanes

The United States is advocating for the establishment of an independent, multilateral body to monitor Iran sanctions, following Russia and China's obstruction of the UN panel of experts that tracks breaches. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized that blocking UN monitors should not hinder scrutiny, accusing Moscow of engaging in arms transfers that independent experts would investigate.

He cited Iran's export of arms to Russia, Venezuela, and African nations, as well as Russia's provision of fighter aircraft and armored vehicles to Iran in late 2025. The dispute over the legal status of previous UN sanctions on Iran has been a contentious issue. While the US, Britain, France, and Germany claim they activated the "snapback" process under the 2015 nuclear deal, restoring sanctions that had been lifted, Russia and China dispute this interpretation, maintaining that the European powers lacked legal authority to do so.

The IAEA's June report highlighted Iran's continued production of highly enriched uranium, making it challenging for the UN nuclear watchdog to assess Iran's nuclear activities due to restricted inspections. Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, vowed to continue opposing Western efforts to reimpose sanctions through a snapback process at the Security Council, defending Russia's veto of the US-drafted resolution to extend the mandate of the sanctions panel.

He stressed that diplomacy and equal negotiations are the only ways to address Iran's nuclear program concerns and resolve tensions in the Gulf region.