Iran thanks Russia and China for vetoing US-drafted UN resolution

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations said on Thursday that a US draft resolution submitted during a UN Security Council meeting was not adopted. The draft sought to revive the mandate of the Panel of Experts associated with the 1737 Committee. The Iranian mission described the US move as politically motivated.

According to the mission, Russia and China voted against the draft, standing by the UN Charter, international law and the integrity of the Security Council. The mission said the veto thwarted what it called a hypocritical attempt by the United States and its allies to use the Council for political ends. Iran expressed deep appreciation to Russia and China for their positions and actions, and also commended Somalia and Pakistan for their stances and abstention votes.

The meeting was held under the agenda item "Non-Proliferation" concerning the activities of the 1737 Sanctions Committee regarding Iran. The United States presented the draft to extend the mandate of the 1737 Committee's Panel of Experts. Russia and China voted against, Somalia and Pakistan abstained, and the other 11 members of the 15-member Council voted in favor.

Adoption of a draft resolution in the Security Council requires at least nine votes and no veto from any of the five permanent members. Although the US draft received 11 positive votes, it was vetoed by Russia and China and was therefore not adopted.

The Iranian mission's statement followed the vote and reiterated Tehran's position that the 1737 Committee and its associated Panel of Experts are illegal. The mission said the outcome reflected the position of states that uphold the Charter. The report by Mehr News added that the draft was not adopted despite majority support among Council members.