General Assembly debates a China-Russia veto on an Iran sanctions panel
1 October 2026
The UN General Assembly met on Thursday to examine a Security Council veto cast by China and Russia.
The vetoed draft was backed by the United States and concerned a sanctions panel of experts on Iran's nuclear facilities.
The Assembly's veto initiative, established in 2022, requires it to meet within 10 working days of any veto in the Council.
The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States; a vote against by any one of them makes a resolution fail.
Assembly President Khalilur Rahman will send a summary of the debate back to the Security Council.
In plain words
Veto Latin: 'I forbid' — The power of a permanent Security Council member to block a resolution by voting against it.
Panel of experts — A small group of independent experts that monitors how UN sanctions are applied.