NEW YORK: Russia and China have vetoed a U.S backed resolution at the UN Security Council concerning the monitoring of sanctions against Iran.
The Security Council rejected a proposal to extend the mandate of the committee responsible for monitoring sanctions on Iran, while Russia and China opposed the use of the so-called “snapback mechanism” to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran.
According to a Security Council report, the two permanent members had already expressed opposition when the draft resolution was circulated in late August.Russia and China voiced strong reservations about the snapback mechanism, which was established under the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Under the mechanism, a party to the agreement could seek the restoration of UN sanctions if it believed Iran was failing to comply with its commitments under the deal.
However, Russia and China argued that the snapback mechanism was no longer effective because the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 expired at the end of last year.
Reported By : Mirza Maqbool Baig I Foreign Affairs Journalist I New York
