On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council voted on a U.S.-sponsored resolution to extend the mandate of the Iran sanctions panel until September 2027. Eleven members voted in favor while two abstained—China and Russia vetoed it with their votes against. Pakistan was one of the two nations that abstained from voting, reflecting its stance that the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved diplomatically rather than through confrontation. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad explained that Pakistan's decision stems from concerns about the complex nature of the Iran nuclear issue and the shift away from cooperative diplomatic approaches since 2015.
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Story summary
On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on a US-sponsored resolution to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the council's Iran sanctions committee. China and Russia vetoed the measure by voting against it, while eleven out of fifteen members, including the United States, Britain, and France, voted in favor. Pakistan abstained from the vote, explaining that Islamabad remained concerned about the increasing complexity of the Iran nuclear issue and the council’s move away from cooperative efforts toward peaceful settlement as outlined in Resolution 2231 adopted in 2015. The resolution aimed to prevent the re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran through a "snapback" mechanism, but China and Russia maintained their opposition based on legal and procedural grounds.
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Pakistan abstained on Thursday when the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on a US-sponsored resolution to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the council’s Iran sanctions committee.
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Council → abstain → committee
The resolution was rejected after China and Russia, two of the Security Council’s five permanent members, voted against it, effectively vetoing the measure.
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China → reject → measure
Eleven of the 15 Council members, including the United States, Britain and France, voted in favour, while two, including Pakistan, abstained.
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two → include → Pakistan
The negotiations on the draft resolution reflected the deep divisions within the council over the Iran nuclear issue, particularly the dispute over the triggering of the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran that had been suspended under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015.
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that → reflect → 2015
China and Russia reiterated their longstanding opposition to the legal and procedural validity of the snapback mechanism.
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China → reiterate → mechanism
Both permanent members were expected to vote against the draft, which would block its adoption even if it secured nine or more votes in favour.
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it → expect → favour
Pakistan’s abstention was explained by its permanent representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who said Islamabad remained concerned that the Iran nuclear issue had become increasingly complicated and that the council had moved away from the spirit of cooperation and peaceful settlement that had accompanied the adoption of Resolution 2231 in 2015.
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that → explain → 2015
“Diplomacy and dialogue remain the guiding principle” for resolving outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, Ambassador Ahmad told the council.
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Ahmad → remain → council
The US draft extends the experts’ mandate until September 2027 and asks the panel to provide recommendations on updating sanctions-related measures, quarterly reports on its work and an annual report to the UNSC.
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draft → extend → UNSC
The panel, established under UNSC Resolution 1929 of 2010, monitors implementation of measures imposed on Iran and provides the council with assessments and recommendations.
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panel → establish → assessments
Its mandate was due to expire on Sept 26.
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mandate → expire → Sept
The dispute over the panel is part of a wider disagreement over the status of the UN sanctions regime following the invocation of the snapback mechanism by Britain, France and Germany in 2025.
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dispute → follow → 2025
Pakistan has consistently argued that the nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiations rather than confrontation.
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issue → argue → confrontation
In his statement on Thursday, Ambassador Ahmad recalled that Pakistan had urged the council last year to provide additional time for diplomacy through a technical extension of Resolution 2231.
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Pakistan → recall → Resolution
He said Islamabad had warned that a non-confrontational and cooperative approach would have provided greater space for a lasting settlement.
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approach → say → settlement
“The Iran nuclear issue should be addressed through peaceful means,” he said, stressing that the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned must be respected.
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rights → address → parties
Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), describing it as the technical body responsible for implementing safeguards agreements.
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Pakistan → reaffirm → agreements
“The IAEA should ensure this important work as per its mandate, independently and without political interference,” Ambassador Ahmad said.
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Ahmad → ensure → interference
He called for renewed diplomatic engagement and urged the parties to return to negotiations.
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He → call → negotiations
Pakistan also referred to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, calling on the parties to implement their commitments under the agreement and return to the negotiating table.
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Pakistan → refer → table
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