South Korea takes next UN step in Iran sanctions snapback process

SEOUL – South Korea on Sept 8 finalised a draft UN Security Council resolution that would permanently lift sanctions on Iran – a move it is required to take as current president of the 15-member body – but a vote has not yet been scheduled, diplomats said.

On Aug 28, Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Under that process, known as snapback, the council must now vote by late September on a resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, requiring at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Russia, China, Britain or France to pass.

If no member had put forward such a resolution 10 days after the snapback process was triggered then it would be up to the council president – which is South Korea for September – to do so. 

By finalising the text on Sept 8, South Korea can now put it to a vote at any time before the 30-day deadline expires. The resolution is unlikely to be adopted. 

Britain, France and Germany are still trying to convince Iran to meet three requirements so their threat of reimposing UN sanctions can be delayed for a limited amount of time to allow space for talks on a long-term deal to address their concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme. Such a delay would require a Security Council resolution.

Separately, Iran’s strategic allies Russia and China finalised a draft Security Council resolution late in August that would extend the 2015 deal for six months and urge all parties to immediately resume negotiations. But they have not yet asked for a vote.

If Russia and China put their resolution to a vote before Germany, France and Britain have reached agreement with Iran on a delay, then it could be vetoed by France, Britain or the US if needed. REUTERS