Iran faced a crushing setback Friday as the United Nations Security Council failed to block a reprieve from massive sanctions against the country, setting the stage for dangerous escalation just days before world leaders gather in New York.
The resolution to prevent reinstating crippling sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program collapsed today after only four countries — Russia, China, Algeria and Pakistan — voted to stop the penalties, falling far short of the nine votes needed.
Iranian leaders immediately protested the vote as ‘politically biased’ and ‘lacking any legal or logical justification.’
Now the full weight of 2015 nuclear deal sanctions will automatically resume on September 28 — just as world leaders arrive for the UN General Assembly, creating a powder keg moment for global diplomacy.
It’s been approximately three months since the United States and Israel conducted strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which has caused fresh nuclear inspections and heightened tensions in the region.
Jamal Abdi, the President of the National Iranian American Council, said today in an exclusive briefing, that their view is that of opposing the snapback, saying it will only encourage retaliation from Tehran.
‘This is a standoff that I firmly believe does not primarily hinge on substance. The nuclear issue is not an issue of political science. The UN is taking the final step to execute snapback – these carry the risk of sparking an Iranian response and getting rid of any chance for the international community to keep eyes on Iran’s nuclear program. It also triggers escalation,’ Abdi told Daily Mail.
He adds that these moves have targeted the diaspora. ‘There is a renewed sense that we need to prevent the US from entering a new war and keep more Iranians from dying.’
Jamal Abdi, the President of the National Iranian American Council, said today in an exclusive briefing, that their view is that of opposing the snapback, saying it will only encourage retaliation from Tehran. Other human rights organizations disagree with that assessment
A United Nations Security Council resolution created to prevent the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran ‘s nuclear program failed today, following weeks of unfruitful diplomacy and negotiations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says shortly after the announcement that the re–installment of U.N. sanctions was ‘lacking any legal or logical justification’
Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill Thursday called the SEVER act aimed at blocking sanctioned Iranian officials tied to Ayatollah Khamenei from entering America ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly
Foreign policy experts warn it’s a double-edged sword: reimposing sanctions could revive international pressure on Iran, but risks inflaming an already volatile Middle East and edging the region closer to renewed conflict.
‘The window for finding a diplomatic solution on Iran’s nuclear issue is closing really fast,’ Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, warned after the snapback decision.
Yet Iranian Americans overwhelmingly support diplomacy over confrontation. A National Iranian American Council poll of 585 Iranian Americans — taken before the Israel-Iran war erupted in June — found 62 percent favor a new nuclear agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Among supporters, 59% cited avoiding war as a key motivation.
But Iran’s opposition groups see snapback differently. The National Union for Democracy in Iran argues sanctions ‘constrain the resources the regime uses to harm’ ordinary Iranians while limiting funds for ‘repression and terrorism.’
‘Tehran has stalled for years, refusing to cooperate,’ said Andrew Ghalili, senior policy analyst at NUFDI. ‘Snapback limits the regime’s ability to fund repression and aggression while maintaining Western credibility until the Iranian people themselves bring about change.’
The ‘snap–back’ resolution, initially created in 2015 during when the nuclear deal was drawn up – was introduced by South Korea and fell short of the minimum nine votes needed for approval. Only four countries –– Russia , China , Algeria and Pakistan — voted to stop sanctions in Iran
Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill Thursday called the SEVER act aimed at blocking sanctioned Iranian officials tied to Ayatollah Khamenei from entering America ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly
Iran’s nuclear program is expected to be a center–point of discussion at the upcoming UN General Assembly, just months after U.S. strikes struck deeper tension among Iranian officials.
President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are slated to represent Tehran at the summit, where they are likely to push back against the reinstatement of UN Security Council sanctions.
Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill Thursday called the SEVER act aimed at blocking sanctioned Iranian officials tied to Ayatollah Khamenei from entering America ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly.
Earlier this month, the U.S. was weighing placing travel restrictions on several foreign delegations –– including Iran’s –– limiting their movement beyond New York City, and what they could even buy from wholesale stores and bring back into their country.
