New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- A U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at halting the reimposition of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program failed Friday after weeks of last-ditch diplomatic talks appeared to break down days before the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders.

The resolution put forth by South Korea, the current president of the 15-member council, did not garner the support of the nine countries required to halt the series of sanctions from taking effect at the end of the month, as outlined in Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Only four countries - China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria - supported the effort, with some using the meeting to blast the European leaders for what they called an unjustified and ...