New York – The UN Security Council has rejected a resolution put forward by Russia and China that sought to extend sanctions relief for Iran for another six months. The failure of the resolution clears the way for the reimposition of restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

In Friday’s vote, only four members supported the draft,China, Russia, Pakistan, and Algeria, while nine voted against and two abstained. As a result, sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had officially returned at midnight GMT on Saturday.

The move follows last month’s decision by France, Germany, and the UK to trigger the “snapback mechanism,” accusing Iran of major violations of the deal.

Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky criticized the Western powers, saying their decision showed that their past promises of seeking a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear issue were “mere noise.”

The US deputy representative to the UN, Dorothy Shea, welcomed the vote, describing the draft resolution as “a hollow effort to excuse Iran from accountability for failing to meet its nuclear commitments.”

In June, the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming the action was aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied such intentions, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that reinstating sanctions would set a “dangerous precedent” and damage the Security Council’s credibility. He called the Western actions “reckless and legally void,” stressing that Iran would not bow to threats or pressure.