Russia and China veto US draft to extend UN monitoring of Iran sanctions
Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran for another year. The vote was 11 in favour, two abstentions and two against. The veto followed a dispute over the snapback mechanism, and the panel has yet to be reconstituted, with the US saying the move would leave a gap in monitoring Iran.
Why it matters: It underscores the theme of sanctions enforcement and the fragmentation of UN Security Council monitoring.