The UN Security Council has started a meeting to vote on a resolution drafted by Russia and China aimed at delaying the snapback of UN sanctions on Iran.
Russia's representative at the meeting said Moscow "had hoped that the US, that European colleagues in the US, would think twice and that they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialog instead of their clumsy blackmail, which merely results in escalation of the situation in the region."
However, the envoy said, "what did we see instead, in the 29 days that have elapsed since then, was the very same typical scenario for Europeans of pressure."
The Russian envoy said that "if the UK and France were genuinely willing to meet their obligations, fulfill their promises and to reject the snapback given the constructive approach of Iran, then the vote on the Russian-Chinese draft gives them the last opportunity to demonstrate that they indeed take responsibility for their words."
The Chinese envoy said his country along with Russia "tabled this draft resolution on a six-month technical extension to Resolution 2231 encouraging Iran to further its engagement with the IAEA and urging the original signatories of the JCPOA to immediately restart negotiations."
"The draft resolution is not about picking sides between Iran and E3; it aims to get more time for diplomatic efforts and create conditions for a political solution," the envoy said.
"China calls on all Council members to vote in favor of the draft resolution... Let's work together to bring the Iranian nuclear issue back on the right track for political and diplomatic settlement."
