United nations: Russia and China exercised a joint veto in the UN Security Council today to defeat a US draft resolution aimed at extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the Iran Sanctions Committee, which was established under Resolution 1737. The draft resolution failed following the vetoes by Moscow and Beijing, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained from voting.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya affirmed his country’s rejection of using the Security Council to “settle political scores with Iran.” He emphasized that Resolution 2231, concerning the nuclear deal, had expired in October 2025; therefore, attempts to trigger the “snapback” mechanism, which would automatically reimpose sanctions, were seen as invalid and lacking legal legitimacy.

The US move, backed by European nations, came amidst escalating tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. This action followed the adoption of a resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criticizing Tehran’s lack of full compliance with the safeguards agreement.