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US-Russia UNSC Clash Over Iran Agenda Paralyzes Security Council

A dispute between the United States and a Russian-Chinese bloc over including an Iran sanctions briefing has prevented the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council's official programme of work for March. The U.S., holding the rotating presidency, published an unofficial "Plan of Work" with several days left blank due to the impasse. Russia publicly stated its objection, arguing that European powers had no legal right to trigger sanctions "snapback" against Iran under the nuclear deal. This incident marks the second consecutive year Russia has blocked the agenda during a U.S. presidency, underscoring the Council's deep polarization.

Key Points: US-Russia UNSC Dispute Halts Agenda, Shows Council Polarization

  • US-Russia-China dispute stalls UNSC agenda
  • Clash over Iran sanctions committee briefing
  • Russia blocks program for second time
  • US publishes unofficial "Plan of Work"
3 min read

US-Russia dispute over UNSC agenda illustrates its polarisation

A US-Russia-China dispute over Iran sanctions briefing stalls UN Security Council's March agenda, highlighting deep divisions paralyzing its work.

"Frankly, we've been concerned about the lack of unity in the Security Council for some while now - Stephane Dujarric"

United Nations, March 5

In a stark portrayal of the Security Council's polarisation that paralyses its work, a dispute between the US and a combination of Russia and China over charting Iran in the month's agenda has stalled the adoption of its programme of work while Washington presides over it.

After a flamboyant start on Monday when US First Lady Melania Trump presided over the first open session of the month under the US presidency, the Council went dormant the next two days and is to resume on Thursday.

Without a programme of work, which has to be unanimous, the US, in a sleight of diplomacy, published what it called a "Plan of Work" with meetings pencilled in for 11 days of the 21 working days of the month and ten left blank.

Asked about the imbroglio, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "Frankly, we've been concerned about the lack of unity in the Security Council for some while now, in dealing with a number of issues".

"I think the Security Council has a primary responsibility in the maintenance of peace and security, and we encourage members to find common ground to that end," he said.

In an unusual action, Russia went public with the dispute, posting a note on its mission's website on why Moscow and Beijing prevented the adoption of the programme of work.

At the heart of the dispute is the US calling for a briefing on the work of the sanctions committee for Iran on Tuesday, exercising its authority because it has the alphabetically rotating presidency for March.

The committee is known as the 1737 Committee after the number of the Council resolution on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Under the deal, the sanctions were loosened, but the resolution provided for a "snapback" -- the reimposition of sanctions if Iran did not comply with the JCPOA restrictions on its nuclear programme.

Britain, France and Germany, which were parties to the JCPOA, declared that Iran had broken the deal by enriching uranium beyond the levels imposed and invoked the snapback.

Russia said that the three countries "had no right to invoke this mechanism" and "there is no consensus within the Security Council on the legality of the actions taken by the UK, France, and Germany".

Since the US turned down its request not to put the 1737 Committee's work on the agenda, "we had no other choice but to object to the adoption of the UNSC programme of work for March".

Russia had also blocked the adoption of the programme of work in 2023 during the US presidency.

Traditionally, the Council presidents hold two signature events on issues important to them with high-level participation.

The US held one on Monday with Melania Trump on children, education and technology, and has scheduled another on "Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security" on Thursday.

The situations in Palestine, Syria, Myanmar and Afghanistan also figure in the US plan of work.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The article mentions Afghanistan too. While they argue over procedure, ordinary people in conflict zones pay the price. The UN was created to prevent war, not to become a stage for diplomatic theatre. Very disappointing. 😔
V
Vikram M
Interesting to see Russia and China standing together against the US on Iran. The West's approach of sanctions and pressure hasn't worked. Maybe it's time for dialogue, like how India maintains relations with all sides. Our foreign policy of strategic autonomy makes sense in this polarized world.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, the whole "snapback" mechanism seems flawed if there's no agreement on who can trigger it. The technicalities are drowning out the real issue: preventing nuclear proliferation. The Council's primary responsibility is security, not procedural one-upmanship.
R
Rohit P
The UNSC is becoming a joke. "Plan of Work" with half the days blank? And the First Lady presiding? It feels like a reality show, not global governance. Meanwhile, energy and critical minerals get a high-level meeting because it serves US interests. The double standards are glaring.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, while the polarization is bad, I think the article could have explored the Iran nuclear issue itself more. What are the current enrichment levels? What's the regional impact for countries like India? The procedural fight is a symptom, not the disease. We need solutions, not just reporting on disagreements.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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