The UN Security Council decided, by four votes to nine with two abstentions, not to approve a proposed resolution to lift sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, leaving Tehran and European powers an eight-day window to negotiate a possible postponement of their imposition.

The British representative to the Security Council said the use of the snapback mechanism to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic by three European countries (France, Germany, Britain – E3) is perfectly legal and pointed to Tehran’s failure to comply with its nuclear commitments.

The French spokesman noted that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles have increased and called for the process of activating the trigger mechanism to continue as normal. In addition, he said Iran has not yet taken any measures to cooperate with the World Atomic Energy Organization.

South Korea submitted a draft resolution to the Council to permanently lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Media had reported that if the resolution is not adopted, UN Security Council sanctions will likely be reimposed by triggering the snapback mechanism.

We have put forward a balanced proposal, Tehran says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he has submitted a “fair and balanced” proposal on Tehran’s nuclear program to European powers to prevent the re-imposition of UN sanctions.

Iran “presents a proposal that is creative, fair and balanced, responsive to real concerns and mutually beneficial,” Araghchi wrote in X late last night.

He added that the proposal was presented yesterday to the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, a group of countries known as the E3, as well as the European Union.

“The implementation of this idea can be done quickly and allow the respective red lines to be reconciled to prevent a crisis,” he warned, assessing that “Iran cannot be the only responsible actor.”