Russia, China push UN vote to delay Iran sanctions reimposition
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Russia and China urged the UN Security Council to delay Iran sanctions for six months, as Europe seeks a deal to revive nuclear talks with Tehran.
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China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, speaks during a Security Council meeting, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at UN headquarters. (AP)
Russia and China asked the United Nations Security Council to vote on Friday on a draft resolution to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran, diplomats said.
All UN sanctions on Iran are due to be reimposed at 8 pm EDT on Friday after the United Kingdom, France, and Germany triggered a 30-day process accusing Tehran of violating a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.
A resolution in the 15-member UN Security Council needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by either the United Kingdom, France, or the United States.
Iran, E3 attempting to reach deal
Iran and European powers have this week been trying to strike a last-ditch deal to delay the return of sanctions and make space for long-term negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program.
Diplomats said on Thursday the prospects of avoiding a reimposition of sanctions without a deal between Iran and the Europeans were slim.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have offered a delay of up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal on Tehran's nuclear program if Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.
Talks ongoing amid threat of sanctions
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Tehran has agreed with European powers to continue talks regarding its nuclear program, following a meeting aimed at reaching a deal that would spare Iran from the reimposition of UN sanctions.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the foreign ministers of France, Britain, and Germany, along with the European Union's foreign policy chief, held talks with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement said, "In light of the unjustified and unlawful move to reimpose UN Security Council sanctions, a number of ideas and proposals were put forward during the meeting to continue diplomatic efforts, and it was agreed that consultations would continue."
Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source said following the meeting that Iran has not yet met the conditions set by the three European countries to avoid the reimposition of UN sanctions, explaining that "discussions will continue to fully explore all possibilities."
