France said the UN Security Council will vote this month on extending the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

Reuters wrote that this move could lead to a confrontation with Russia and China; the two countries that oppose the sanctions regime and its monitoring mechanisms. The panel’s mandate expires on September 26 (Mehr 4). Diplomats expect the vote to take place on September 17 (Shahrivar 26).

Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s ambassador to the United Nations, said the nuclear issue and Tehran’s lack of adherence to its commitments to the UN will be the main focus of discussions about the Islamic Republic.

According to diplomats, Russia and China may veto the extension. Moscow and Beijing believe the Security Council no longer has authority to consider the nuclear issue related to Iran and previously said that the council cannot continue the process of renewing the sanctions committee or its panel of experts.