The UN’s chief diplomat, Rosemary DiCarlo, reported that despite intensified diplomatic efforts in the latter half of 2025, no consensus was reached on the future of the Iran nuclear programme. She emphasized that the optimal path for the international community remains a negotiated settlement that ensures a peaceful nuclear programme in Iran while offering sanctions relief.
The Security Council remains divided over the legitimacy of holding meetings related to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran originally signed the agreement alongside the Council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States—plus Germany and the European Union.
Tuesday’s Security Council session marked the first meeting following the triggering of the “snapback mechanism” by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, reinstating sanctions due to what they described as Iran’s “significant non-performance” under the JCPOA. Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and France argued that the resolution underpinning the deal remains valid, making continued Council discussions on nuclear non-proliferation essential. France’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Jay Dharmadhikari, highlighted the potential threat, warning that Iran’s enriched nuclear stockpile could be sufficient to produce ten nuclear explosive devices if military-level enrichment occurs.
In contrast, Russia and Iran challenged the Council’s authority to hold discussions. Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, argued that the JCPOA Committee no longer exists and the EU should not brief the Council. Iran’s Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani stated that Resolution 2231 expired on 18 October 2025, rendering any Security Council discussions or Secretary-General reports legally invalid. He accused Council members of deliberately distorting facts about Iran’s nuclear programme.
The European Union, however, stressed the continuation of diplomacy, warning that snapback sanctions should not halt negotiations. Deputy Head of Delegation Hedda Samson urged Iran to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with updated, verifiable information on the quantity, location, and activities related to nuclear material, underscoring the need for transparency and verification in ongoing nuclear discussions.
