The United Kingdom is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to ensure that Iran shall never seek, acquire or develop a nuclear weapon: UK explanation of vote at the UN[...]

Today's resolution fulfils a key step of the snapback process set out in Security Council resolution 2231.

The United Kingdom is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to ensure that Iran shall never seek, acquire or develop a nuclear weapon.

That is why on the 28th of August, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, notified this Council of Iran's clear and deliberate non-compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

We have urged Iran to address international concerns regarding its nuclear programme, which the International Atomic Energy Agency has been unable to confirm is exclusively peaceful.

Iran's nuclear escalation has been detailed in more than 60 reports by the IAEA over six years.

It includes the accumulation of a High Enriched Uranium stockpile which lacks any credible civilian justification and is unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons programme.

The United Kingdom voted no on today's resolution because, if it were adopted, it would have permanently terminated six Council resolutions on Iran's nuclear programme, removing this important issue from the Council's agenda, despite Iran's JCPoA non-compliance and Iran's continuing failure to implement its legal obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In good faith, we offered Iran an opportunity to extend the provisions of resolution 2231, if Iran resumed full cooperation with the IAEA, in line with its legal obligations, addressed concerns regarding its High Enriched Uranium stockpile, and re-engaged seriously in negotiations.

These steps are achievable for Iran.

They are also justified and proportionate.

They would give reassurance to this Council that a full diplomatic deal would follow.

But without these most basic conditions being met, there is no clear path to a swift diplomatic solution.

We regret that Iran has so far failed to take these steps, and we urge them to act now.

The United Kingdom remains committed to a diplomatic solution.

We are ready for further engagements diplomatically in the next week and beyond to seek to resolve differences.