The recent UN Security Council meeting on Iran’s nuclear file once again exposed deep divisions between Western countries and several influential Council members. By raising the issue of the snapback mechanism and the reimposition of sanctions, the European countries sought to revive a case that, according to Iran, China, and Russia, no longer has a legal basis following the expiration of Resolution 2231 in October 2025. From this perspective, reopening the issue not only fails to resolve existing disputes but also raises serious questions about some Western powers' commitment to international law and the role of the Security Council.
At the same time, the Security Council has taken a markedly different approach to other major crises, including the Israeli regime's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as US and Israeli attacks on Iran, compared with its stated mission of maintaining international peace and security. This inconsistency has weakened the credibility of international institutions and reinforced perceptions that Security Council decisions are increasingly driven by political considerations.
West’s Failure to Build Consensus
One of the most significant aspects of the recent meeting was the explicit opposition voiced by China and Russia to the agenda advanced by Western countries. China’s representative stressed that Resolution 2231 has expired and that Iran’s nuclear file has been concluded from the Security Council’s perspective, adding that politicizing the issue would only deepen disagreements. Russia’s representative likewise stated that some members were attempting to revive issues that are no longer on the Council’s agenda.
These positions demonstrated that, unlike in the past, the West can no longer easily secure the consensus it seeks within the Security Council. The emergence of a new international order and the growing influence of powers such as China and Russia have reshaped decision-making within global institutions. This development is also viewed as reflecting Iran’s capacity to engage with independent countries and counter Western unilateralism.
Western Double Standards on Nuclear Issue
The conduct of the European countries and the US on the nuclear issue has been marked by double standards. On one hand, they continue to raise allegations concerning Iran’s nuclear program; on the other, they have not taken a firm stance against the expansion and modernization of the nuclear arsenals of major powers or against attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In the same context, the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures highlighted the far-reaching impact of sanctions on the lives of the Iranian people, particularly women and children, describing these measures as a matter of serious human rights concern. Likewise, attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities without an effective response from the relevant international bodies have raised questions about the credibility of the global nonproliferation framework.
Taken together, these actions have fueled serious doubts about the West’s claims of defending the nonproliferation regime. Iran has also described the International Atomic Energy Agency’s performance as politicized and influenced by pressure from Western countries.
Consequences of Pressure Strategy Against Iran
Some European countries continue to emphasize a policy of pressure, sanctions, and the use of political instruments against Iran. This approach persists despite recent tensions demonstrating that Iran will not retreat from its stated positions under political or military pressure and will respond proportionately to any action targeting its security and national interests.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical factors in the region’s security and economic landscape. Political and legal pressure cannot alter Iran’s geopolitical position along this strategic waterway, and any escalation of tensions would primarily affect the interests of Western countries and the global economy.
Overall, the latest Security Council meeting showed that disagreements over Iran’s nuclear file persist. At the same time, the shifting balance of power in the international system has made it increasingly difficult for Western countries to build the broad consensus they once enjoyed. Under these circumstances, continuing policies based on pressure and confrontation is unlikely to resolve existing disputes and could instead deepen the current political and security challenges while further undermining the credibility of international institutions.
NOURNEWS