UN Security Council rejects resolution to extend Iran arms embargo

NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council overwhelmingly rejected a United States resolution to extend an Iranian arms embargo.

Only two of the Security Council’s 15 members voted in favor, highlights the division between US and European allies ever since President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord in May 2018.

The move can have huge repercussions for the Iran nuclear deal and the result increases the likelihood that the US will try to unilaterally force a return of UN sanctions leading to a diplomatic crisis.

“The Security Council’s failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18th under the terms of a resolution that blessed the Iran nuclear deal signed in July 2015, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran committed to curtailing its nuclear activities for sanctions relief and other benefits

European countries, who along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran, have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East but their priority is to preserve the nuclear deal.

The US text effectively called for an indefinite extension of the embargo on Iran. However, Iran says it has the right to self-defense and that a continuation of the ban would mean an end to the nuclear deal.

Pompeo announced that members had failed to back the proposal around 30 minutes before Indonesia, the current president of the Security Council, announced that the official results included two votes against and 11 abstentions.

Russia and China opposed the resolution. “The result shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail,” China’s UN mission tweeted.

Earlier Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on China, France, Russia, Britain, the United States, Germany and Iran to convene an emergency video summit to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

The United States has threatened to try to force a return of UN sanctions if it is not extended. European allies have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and warn that the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council.