Lavrov to Guterres: UN has no mandate to reinstate sanctions on Iran under ‘snapback’ claim
Tehran - BORNA - Lavrov’s letter directly addressed what he described as the “illegal and baseless” assertions of the UK, France, and Germany, who recently circulated a notice at the UN Security Council claiming to trigger the mechanism against Iran.
Lavrov reminded Guterres of the Security Council sessions on September 19 and September 26, 2025, when draft resolutions—one sponsored by South Korea, and another co-sponsored by China and Russia to extend the implementation of Resolution 2231—were rejected by the U.S., UK, France, and several non-permanent members. He underlined that these rejections proved Western capitals were deliberately obstructing diplomatic efforts and dialogue despite Iran’s demonstrated readiness for constructive engagement.
The Russian top diplomat stressed that Moscow has consistently maintained the Western claim of “snapback” is null and void, a view reinforced in a joint letter by the foreign ministers of Russia, China, and Iran to the Secretary-General on August 28. He argued that the notification by the E3 powers “cannot be considered a legitimate notification under paragraph 11 of Resolution 2231,” and therefore any assertion of sanction re-imposition is legally baseless.
Lavrov warned that Western attempts to present the opposite view merely seek to “whitewash their own blatant violations of Resolution 2231” and coerce the international community into endorsing a confrontational and unlawful policy against Iran.
Calling on the UN to resist political misuse, Lavrov wrote: “I count on your responsibility and foresight not to yield to those acting outside the legal framework. I expect neither you nor the UN Secretariat to take any practical step toward reinstating UN sanctions on Iran, as no such mandate exists. Any action to the contrary would constitute a direct violation of the UN Charter, in particular Article 100.”
He further cautioned that the Secretariat must not allow manipulation of the global non-proliferation regime, stressing that it should never become an instrument for “political vendettas against states deemed ‘undesirable’ by certain powers.” Lavrov concluded by urging Guterres to take all necessary steps to prevent the emergence of such a negative scenario.
Russia’s latest intervention underscores a growing international divide over Iran’s nuclear file, with Moscow and Beijing standing firmly against Western powers attempting to unilaterally impose measures outside the framework of international law.
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