TEHRAN – Iran, China and Russia jointly notified the head of the UN nuclear watchdog that UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and related reports on Iran’s nuclear activities have been officially closed.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Law and International Affairs Kazem Ghalibabadi announced in a post on X on Friday that the ambassadors and permanent representatives of the three countries have sent a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
Gharibabadi noted that the letter follows similar communications previously sent by the three countries to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, formally declaring the termination of Resolution 2231 of October 18.
According to Iranian officials, the latest letter reiterated that all provisions of Resolution 2231 expire on October 18, 2025, and condemned the “illegal” attempt by Britain, France and Germany to trigger the so-called “snapback” mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions.
Mr. Gharibabadi emphasized that the expiration of the resolution also marks the end of the IAEA Director-General’s mandate to report on verification and monitoring activities related to resolution 2231 and the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He explained that, based on the IAEA Board of Directors resolution of December 15, 2015, the IAEA’s monitoring mission is to continue for 10 years after the adoption of the JCPOA or until the IAEA concludes that Iran’s nuclear program is completely peaceful, whichever comes first.
“Therefore, as of October 18, 2025, this issue will be automatically removed from the board’s agenda and no further action will be required,” Gharibabadi said.
The Iranian government has consistently rejected the snapback mechanism by the three European countries, calling it “illegal,” “invalid,” and a “fabricated concept.”
Iran announced on October 18 that it would lift all remaining UN restrictions on its nuclear program, citing the expiration of Resolution 2231.
Iran’s nuclear program and economy have been under sustained pressure since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions under its “maximum pressure” policy. Despite these challenges, the Iranian government has sought to adapt through expanding trade with Asian and regional partners, non-dollar transactions, and increasing domestic production.