Russia Condemns UN Vote to Reimpose Sanctions on Iran

Russia strongly criticized the United Nations Security Council’s decision to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, warning that the move could further escalate regional tensions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry described the vote as “provocative and illegal,” specifically targeting the European nations involved in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “The Russian side has repeatedly pointed out the provocative and illegal nature of the actions of the European countries participating in the JCPOA,” the ministry said.

The JCPOA, signed in 2015 by Iran, Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the United States, had provided Tehran with relief from UN sanctions in exchange for UN-monitored limitations on its nuclear program. However, European signatories argue that Iran has failed to uphold its commitments under the deal, which has been largely inactive since the United States withdrew in 2018 during former President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Security Council vote on Friday, driven by European pressure, seeks to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. Russia condemned the action, stating, “These actions have nothing to do with diplomacy and lead exclusively to a further escalation of tensions surrounding the Iranian nuclear program.”

Moscow had previously warned in August that reimposing sanctions on its key ally could result in “irreparable consequences.” Over the past decade, Tehran and Moscow have strengthened political, military, and economic cooperation, a partnership that intensified following Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.