South Korea, as president of the U.N. Security Council this month, has finalized a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, though a vote has not yet been scheduled. The move follows the August 28 decision by Britain, France, and Germany to trigger a 30-day “snapback” process, accusing Tehran of failing to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Under the snapback mechanism, the Security Council must vote by late September on whether to lift sanctions. Adoption requires at least nine votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members—the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. If no country had introduced such a resolution within ten days, the responsibility fell to the council president, currently South Korea. By submitting the draft on Monday, Seoul ensured the council can now vote anytime before the deadline.
Despite this procedural step, the resolution is unlikely to pass. European powers are still pressuring Iran to meet three specific requirements that could delay the reimposition of U.N. sanctions, providing space for broader talks on a long-term nuclear deal. Any delay, however, would also require Security Council approval.
Meanwhile, Iran’s allies Russia and China drafted their own resolution last month proposing a six-month extension of the 2015 accord while urging immediate negotiations. Yet they have not pushed it to a vote. Should Moscow and Beijing act before Europe finalizes an arrangement with Tehran, their proposal risks being vetoed by the United States, France, or Britain.
The diplomatic standoff underscores deep divisions within the Security Council and raises uncertainty over the future of Iran’s nuclear program and global security.