Iran recalls envoys to UK, France, Germany after China-backed UN proposal fails

Iran has recalled its ambassadors to Britain, France and Germany, according to its state media.

The move came hours after the UN Security Council voted down a resolution backed by China and Russia seeking to prevent the reimposition of global sanctions against the Islamic republic.

China and Russia tabled a draft resolution on Friday aimed at halting the snapback mechanism under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of 2015. This mechanism, initiated by the United Kingdom, France and Germany, seeks to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA and Security Council Resolution 2231.

The proposal received four votes in favour – from China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria – while Guyana and South Korea abstained. Nine council members voted against – the United States, Britain, Denmark, France, Greece, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.

“Our country’s officials, while condemning this bullying and illegal process, have emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran will never surrender to bullying and pressure,” Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Saturday.

“Tehran has always stated that it remains ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and the real lifting of sanctions,” it added. “But any policy of pressure and threats will be met with a decisive response from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”