A significant diplomatic chapter involving Iran’s nuclear program has officially been closed at the United Nations. Iran, alongside Russia and China, has officially notified UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that UN Security Council Resolution 2231 is no longer in effect. This notification was delivered via a joint letter from the permanent missions of the three nations.
The letter explicitly states their affirmation that, in accordance with operative paragraph 8 of Resolution 2231, all its provisions are terminated as of October 18, 2025. This pivotal date marks the cessation of the Security Council’s oversight and consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue. The JCPOA, endorsed by Resolution 2231, had been instrumental in lifting sanctions against Iran in exchange for verifiable limits on its nuclear activities, a move initially hailed as a major diplomatic triumph.
However, the stability of this arrangement fractured in 2018 when the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions, actions protested by Iran and its supporters. A subsequent attempt by the US in 2020 to trigger the deal’s “snapback” clause, designed to reinstate sanctions, was unsuccessful. European signatories, namely the UK, France, and Germany, also disengaged, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, allegations that the International Atomic Energy Agency has not substantiated despite extensive inspections.
In a recent development, the European trio attempted to re-initiate the snapback process earlier this year, leading to renewed sanctions in September, which Iran, Russia, and China vehemently rejected as lacking foundation. The joint letter to the UN underscored that the European states lacked the legal standing to re-impose sanctions, given their own non-compliance with the JCPOA and their failure to utilize the dispute resolution mechanism. The participating nations believe that adhering to the October 18 expiration date upholds the integrity of the Security Council and strengthens global multilateral diplomacy.
Their collective message urged international support for creating a positive environment conducive to diplomatic engagement. This formal closure signifies the end of a long period of contention over Iran’s nuclear program within the UN framework. For Iran, Russia, and China, October 18, 2025, represents the end of the West’s authority over this issue.