Official documents of Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council, 2015-2016. The United Nations Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or an act of aggression. It calls upon the State parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.