Russia and China veto US bid to keep UN experts monitoring Iran sanctions, leaving panel set to expire on 26 September

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Russia and China have blocked a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of the panel monitoring Iran sanctions. The motion carried 11 votes in favour, with Pakistan and Somalia abstaining, but Moscow and Beijing used their veto powers to kill it. The panel will now wind up on 26 September, ending independent oversight of Iran's compliance at a time when the sanctions themselves are disputed. US representative Jennifer Locetta accused Russia and China of shielding Iran from accountability.

Russia's UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the resolution as "deeply flawed" with "no legal basis," contending that UN sanctions on Iran ceased to exist permanently once Resolution 2231 expired in October 2025.

Britain, France and Germany triggered the 2015 deal's snapback mechanism in August last year to restore the sanctions — a move that Russia and China regard as legally invalid.

After 26 September, Western governments will continue to insist the sanctions are in force, but the expert body charged with recording violations will have ceased to operate altogether.