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Russia and China have condemned the decision by the UK, France, and Germany to trigger the UN’s snapback mechanism against Iran.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the UK, France, and Germany (collectively known as the E3) have formally triggered the UN’s snapback mechanism. This is part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) that allows countries involved in the agreement to reinstate old UN sanctions on Iran if they believe Iran is violating the deal. The E3 say Iran has gone too far by building up a large amount of highly enriched uranium, using advanced nuclear equipment, and blocking UN inspections (all of which they believe clearly violate the agreement). Iran strongly disagrees, arguing that the E3 didn’t keep their own promises under the deal, like lifting economic sanctions, and are now trying to unfairly punish Iran without following the proper diplomatic steps.

What’s going on now: Russia and China are pushing back hard against the E3’s decision, accusing the UK, France, and Germany of undermining diplomacy and escalating tensions without legal justification. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said, “We strongly urge them to reconsider and review their erroneous decisions before they lead to irreparable consequences and further tragedy.” They argued that the root of the current crisis lies not with Iran, but with Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA and the failure of European countries to honor their commitments.

“The United States abandoned the JCPOA, and since then the situation started to deteriorate,” said Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador. He added that Iran’s current nuclear activity is a “response to the US withdrawal” and that these measures “can easily be reviewed” if diplomacy is restored.

China has taken a similar stance, calling the snapback move “not constructive.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “The Iranian nuclear issue is at a critical juncture. Launching the Security Council’s snapback mechanism of sanctions is not constructive and will undermine the process of a political and diplomatic settlement.”

In response, Russia and China have proposed a draft resolution that would delay any decision on sanctions for six months. This “technical extension” would suspend further actions under the snapback mechanism, giving all parties time to return to negotiations. The draft urges members to pause confrontation and instead pursue a diplomatic path. Polyanskiy stated, “The world is at a crossroads… one path leads to diplomacy, peace, and normal human relations. The other path is coercion — the path chosen by France, the UK, and Germany.”

There’s been no comment from the US or E3 members.