Russia is apparently prepared to leverage its permanent position on the UN Security Council to shield Iran from “snapback” sanctions that European leaders have suggested, following Iran’s failure to meet the obligations set by former President Barack Obama under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Dmitry Poliansky, the first deputy representative of Russia to the United Nations, confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday that Russia is putting forward draft proposals at the UN aimed at preventing sanctions against Iran.
“Russia and China aim to create more opportunities for diplomacy and to actively seek diplomatic solutions to this matter,” Poliansky stated.
“The international community should prioritize peace and diplomatic engagement, which is the intent behind our draft,” he added.
The drive for snapback sanctions is spearheaded by France, Germany, and the UK.
Unless Russia’s extension request is accepted, the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which hasn’t been ratified by treaty, will “expire” on October 18, 2025. The U.S. withdrew from the agreement during Donald Trump’s initial term.
Trump claimed that Iran manipulated the JCPOA to divert substantial funds from lifted sanctions to support terrorism globally. The E3 countries have gradually aligned with Trump’s perspective after struggling to keep the nuclear deal viable. On the Iranian side, officials argue they haven’t received the financial benefits promised under the agreement.
By June 2025, after years of urging Iran for full transparency regarding uranium discovered at undeclared nuclear sites, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally reported that Iran is noncompliant, not just under the JCPOA but also regarding its obligations under the NPT.
For the first time in two decades, the IAEA criticized Iran for “failing to provide complete and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undocumented sites.”
The IAEA’s actions quickly prompted airstrikes by Israel and later the U.S. aimed at dismantling Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities. The E3 hopes to utilize the threat of snapback sanctions to encourage Iran to return to compliance, with a significant decision expected soon.
“We’ll see if Iran can be trusted about the extension or if they are just toying with us. We’d like to assess any advancements they’ve made on the conditions we’ve outlined for an extension,” an E3 official commented to the UK.
Iranian President Masuud Pezeshkian reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, seeking assistance against sanctions, and Putin seems inclined to help.
On Wednesday, Iran permitted IAEA inspectors to come back to the country for the first time since July.
Radio Free Europe highlighted that major uranium enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan are still “off-limits,” possibly rendering the IAEA inspections superficial. These sites were bombed by the U.S. in June.
“Unless inspectors can resume full monitoring, it is quite unlikely that the E3 will be able to determine whether Tehran genuinely seeks diplomacy,” remarked Benham Tarebul, director of Iran programs at the Foundation for Democracy.
