September 27, 2025

Hold on tight – the UN is gearing up to slap sweeping sanctions back on Iran! Despite China and Russia’s spicy last-minute move on Friday to delay things with a draft resolution, diplomats say sanctions are still coming. The European powers are not happy. They want Iran to reverse several bold actions it took after Israel and the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June. The Europeans say Iran broke the big 2015 nuclear deal and want tough UN sanctions to hit Iran's banking and oil sectors by the end of Saturday. China and Russia tried pushing a draft to extend talks for six more months, until April 18, 2026, but diplomats doubt it will get enough votes in the 15-member Security Council. French President Emmanuel Macron met Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday and hinted a deal is still possible — but time is running out. One diplomat told AFP, "Europeans believed they had done everything to try to move things," but Iran showed little flexibility. France, along with Germany and Britain, demands Iran allow UN nuclear inspectors full access, resume nuclear talks immediately, and be clear about its stock of highly enriched uranium — a key issue full of mystery and worry. Remember the 2015 deal? Iran agreed to cut its nuclear work for lifting the sanctions. But then President Donald Trump pulled the US out and pushed for new sanctions, with Europe caught in the middle. China and Russia’s draft urged all original parties, including the US, to "immediately resume negotiations." On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the UK’s Yvette Cooper. The Iranian side called the European stance "unjustified, illegal and irresponsible." Steve Witkoff, a friend of Trump and former envoy who negotiated with Iran until Israel’s bombings, said Iran is in a "tough position" but hopes remain. He said, "If we can’t negotiate, then snapbacks will be what they are. They’re the right medicine." Iran says they want no nuclear weapons, pointing to a statement by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US intelligence has found no proof Iran decided to build a bomb, but many countries worry because Iran’s nuclear work is advanced. At the UN General Assembly this week, Pezeshkian showed heartbreaking images of over 1,000 people killed during the 12-day Israeli military strike on Iran in June, which also saw the US attacking Iran’s nuclear sites from June 22 onward. The tension is fiery, and the world watches closely as drama unfolds!

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Tags: Iran sanctions, Un security council, China and russia, Iran nuclear deal, European powers, Middle east tension,