Russian Foreign Ministry Slams UN Security Council Snapback Vote as “Western Legal Nihilism”
Tehran - BORNA - According to the statement, the Security Council voted on Sept. 19 on a draft resolution submitted by South Korea in its capacity as Council president, following the Aug. 28 request by Britain, France, and Germany to trigger the “snapback mechanism” on the basis of alleged significant Iranian noncompliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Moscow stressed that it had repeatedly warned against the provocative and unlawful nature of the European initiative, as well as Seoul’s role under Western pressure. “These actions have no connection with diplomacy and only serve to further inflame tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program,” the ministry said. Russia added that it had consistently explained why the European request could not be considered a valid notification under paragraph 11 of UNSC Resolution 2231, accusing London and its allies of “shameless manipulation.”
The ministry noted that the draft put forward by South Korea “did not meet the requirements of Resolution 2231” and therefore could not automatically reinstate previously lifted UN sanctions on Iran.
During the Sept. 19 Council meeting, Russia said it had joined China, Algeria, and Pakistan in firmly supporting the continued lifting of sanctions. Predictably, Western members opposed, with the U.S. and its European allies applying “unprecedented pressure” on non-permanent members to align with their position. The ministry pointed out that South Korea’s abstention on its own draft was telling, describing it as “self-exposure” and evidence that Seoul was fully aware of the legal bankruptcy of its initiative.
Moscow stressed that the results of the vote demonstrated the lack of support for the draft resolution and confirmed its removal from the Council’s agenda. “This reality creates no obligations for other states to reimpose outdated restrictions against Iran,” the ministry said, insisting that the snapback push cannot be deemed effective.
“The moment of truth has come for the United States and European powers,” the statement added. “They must finally answer clearly: are they seeking a political and diplomatic solution, or preparing once again to drag West Asia into another tragedy like the June attacks, when Iranian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards were struck by Israel and the United States?”
The Russian Foreign Ministry further highlighted its own joint initiative with China, introducing a draft resolution to technically extend the JCPOA and UNSC Resolution 2231 by six months. Moscow argued that such a delay would provide “a genuine opportunity to stabilize the situation, allow for the effective implementation of the Sept. 9 Cairo agreement between Iran and the IAEA, and create space for serious negotiations that can dispel doubts about Iran’s peaceful nuclear program while safeguarding its legitimate rights.”
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