The U.N. Security Council on Friday rejected a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, though Tehran and key European powers still have eight days to negotiate a possible delay.
The 15-member U.N. Security Council was required to vote on the draft resolution on Friday after Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process on Aug. 28 to reimpose U.N. sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies having any such intention.
Russia, China, Pakistan and Algeria voted in favor of the draft text on Friday. Nine members voted against and two abstained.
The Security Council vote has now set up a week of intense diplomacy while world leaders – including Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian – are in New York for the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly.
Iran says vote outcome 'weakens diplomacy'
