Iran, Russia, China Ink Joint Letter to UN Chief

Iran, China, and Russia have jointly written to the United Nations Secretary-General, affirming the termination of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231, which governs the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear energy program. The letter, drafted by the allies’ diplomatic missions to the UN, was addressed to Antonio Guterres and the head of the UN Security Council.

The three countries stated that they “affirm that in accordance with operative paragraph 8 of Resolution 2231, all its provisions are terminated after 18 October 2025.” They added that this date “marks the end of the Security Council’s consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue.”

Resolution 2231 had endorsed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and several world powers, which required suspending nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran upon ratification.

However, the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposing sanctions in a unilateral and illegal move. In 2020, Washington attempted—but failed—to trigger the JCPOA’s “snapback” mechanism, which would have reinstated all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. European allies of the U.S. subsequently bowed to American pressure, halting their own trade with Iran and reneging on their commitment to restore Washington to the deal.

Western efforts have largely centered on unverified allegations of Iranian nuclear “diversion,” claims never substantiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency despite its most comprehensive inspections to date.

Earlier this year, the UK, France, and Germany attempted to reactivate the “snapback” mechanism, resulting in renewed sanctions late last month. The letter emphasized that the trio had no legal grounds to restore sanctions given their own failure to meet JCPOA commitments.

“The E3, having themselves ceased to perform their commitments under both the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and failing to exhaust the procedures of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM), lack the standing to invoke its provisions,” the letter stated.

The diplomats highlighted that adherence to the resolution’s expiration date “contributes to strengthening the authority of the Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy.” They concluded by urging all parties to foster a favorable environment for ongoing diplomatic efforts.