A negotiated settlement is the only long-term solution to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council
The UK told the UN Security Council that Iran’s nuclear escalation and non-compliance require full implementation of existing sanctions and IAEA access to verify its programme.
Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, reiterated that Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes remain a grave international concern and that the UK continues to advocate for a negotiated diplomatic solution. She recalled that in 2006 the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1737, imposing sanctions on nuclear technology, materials, and individuals linked to Iran’s enrichment programme to address proliferation risks.
The UK noted that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) provided for sanctions relief in exchange for Iran’s nuclear commitments, but that Iran has instead expanded its programme, including accumulating over 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%, a level unprecedented among non-nuclear-weapon states.
In August 2025, the UK, France, and Germany formally notified the Council of Iran’s clear non-compliance with the JCPOA, and in September 2025 the Council completed the snapback process, reinstating UN sanctions. The UK emphasised that all Member States, including Iran, are obligated under the UN Charter to implement these Chapter 7 sanctions resolutions in full.
The UK called for the immediate appointment of a Chair and Panel of Experts for the 1737 Committee to enforce sanctions, and highlighted that Iran has failed to meet its IAEA safeguards obligations, with no access granted to inspectors since June 2025 except at the Bushehr Power Plant, preventing verification of its nuclear facilities and materials.