(MENAFN) The United Nations Security Council on Friday failed to pass a critical resolution aimed at continuing sanctions relief for Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal.

The proposal, introduced by South Korea as the president of the Security Council for September, garnered only four votes in favor, with nine members voting against and two abstentions. The measure fell short of the nine votes required for adoption.

Had it been approved, the resolution would have prevented the automatic re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran—a process known as the "snapback" mechanism—outlined in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2231.

Earlier this year, Britain, France, and Germany—the three European powers behind the JCPOA—triggered the snapback mechanism on August 28, citing Iran's "non-performance" of the deal's terms. Under Resolution 2231, UN sanctions lifted under the agreement would resume 30 days after the notification unless the Security Council intervenes with a counter-resolution.

However, the move has sparked legal controversy, as critics argue the E3 bypassed the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) specified in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. This mechanism allows 35 days for resolving disputes before the snapback can be triggered.

Meanwhile, China and Russia have introduced an alternative resolution proposing a six-month extension of the JCPOA, allowing more time for diplomacy before Resolution 2231 expires on October 18, 2025. After that date, the Security Council would no longer have jurisdiction over the Iran nuclear deal.

In the vote, Algeria, China, Pakistan, and Russia supported the draft resolution, while Guyana and South Korea abstained. The remaining members of the Security Council voted against the measure.

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