Russia and China Block UN Resolution on Iran Sanctions Monitoring

Russia and China have blocked a United Nations resolution that wanted to keep an eye on sanctions against Iran.

The resolution aimed to let UN experts continue monitoring the sanctions put back on Iran last year due to its nuclear program. It was rejected on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

Russia's UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told the Security Council after the vote, “We strongly urge Western colleagues to stop their very dangerous actions on the Iran front, which threaten further complication in settling the crisis in the Persian Gulf.”

UN sanctions against Iran were officially put back in place in September 2025. This happened when France, Germany, and the United Kingdom activated the “snapback” mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

The resolution includes six previous UNSC resolutions that placed sanctions on Iran’s nuclear and military programs. These sanctions cover nuclear enrichment, ballistic missiles, and arms trade.

Iran was accused of breaking the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited its nuclear activities. But Iran has always denied claims that it wants to make nuclear weapons or that it broke the agreement.

After the sanctions were put back last year, the UN aimed to create an independent group of experts. This group was supposed to monitor and report on Iran’s violations of the sanctions and suggest further actions.

But the experts were never chosen because the 15-member Security Council could not agree. On Thursday, 11 of the 15 members voted to extend sanctions monitoring. But Russia and China vetoed the resolution, while Pakistan and Somalia chose not to vote.

This situation unfolds as the Trump administration began efforts to cut off Tehran from its economic partners. The ongoing war in Iran has reached a deadlock after more than six months.

Iran posted on X to thank China and Russia for their veto against the US resolution.

“Iran deeply appreciates Russia and China for their consistent and principled positions and decisive actions today.”

Iran added that the two countries “prevented yet another cynical attempt by the United States and its allies to abuse the Security Council for their political purposes.”