Veto by Moscow and Beijing Ends UN Expert Panel Monitoring Iran Sanctions
Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted resolution at the UN Security Council on Thursday, blocking the extension of an independent expert panel mandated to monitor compliance with sanctions reimposed on Iran. The vote failed 11-2, with Somalia and Pakistan abstaining. While the underlying sanctions remain in effect, the loss of the monitoring panel creates a significant oversight gap. The US criticized the veto as shielding rogue regimes, while Iran praised the move as a defense of international law against Western political abuse.
