Russia rejects US drive for permanent Iran arms embargo

Russia's foreign minister is accusing Trump ministration of unleashing a politically motivated campaign against Iran and is calling for “universal condemnation” of US attempt to get UN Security Council to impose a permanent arms embargo against Islamic Republic.

Sergey Lavrov said United States withdrew from 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers and w has legal right to try to use UN resolution endorsing deal to indefinitely continue arms embargo, which is set to expire on October 18.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council circulated Monday, Russian minister said statements by US State Department officials that Trump ministration doesn't plan to resume its commitments under nuclear deal but plans to invoke rights allegedly deriving from resolution endorsing it are “ridiculous and irresponsible.” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Ambassor to United Nations Kelly Craft have said extending arms embargo against Iran is a top priority for United States.

Craft told a press briefing Friday that she h shared a draft Security Council resolution imposing an indefinite arms embargo on Iran with Russia and with Western council allies Britain, France, Germany and Estonia, and hopes to give draft to rest of 15-member council “pretty soon.” But she said first she wants to talk to ambassors and “make sure everyone understands that we are committed to making certain that UN Security Council does t allow this to expire in October.”

“What I say to people is on October 18 ... do we want Russia selling weapons to Iran? Do we want China selling? Do we want anyone providing or selling weapons to Iran?,” Craft asked.

“I'm stressing that Russia and China need to join a global consensus on Iran's conduct. This is about t only people of Iran but people in Middle East.”

But Russia's UN Ambassor Vassily Nebenzia has alrey make clear Moscow's opposition to a Security Council resolution extending Iran's arms embargo, which Russia could veto. He also said US has “ right” following its withdrawal from nuclear deal to use “snap back” provision in 2015 council resolution, which automatically restores all UN sanctions against Iran that h been lifted or eased if nuclear deal is violated.

Craft disagreed, saying resolution “makes clear that US retains right” to use “snap back” provision. Tensions between Iran and US have escalated since President Donald Trump withdrew from nuclear deal in 2018 and re-imposed crippling US sanctions. A year ago, US sent thousands more troops, long-range bombers and an aircraft carrier to Middle East in response to what it called a growing threat of Iranian attacks on US interests in region.

five or powers that signed nuclear deal — Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany — remain committed to it, saying agreement is key to continuing inspections by International Atomic Energy ncy and preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. Lavrov's letter went furr in explaining Moscow's strong opposition to an indefinite arms embargo and US use of “snap back” provision.

“We are proceeding on basis that United Nations should t become host to political situation in United States, which has decided to withdraw from plan,” he said.

“re are valid grounds for raising in Security Council issue of an arms embargo against Iran.”

Lavrov said nuclear deal and Security Council resolution “form a single whole” and can't be considered separately. And under Article 25 of UN Charter, “ United States side is obliged to carry out decisions of Security Council, rar than undermine m through its unlawful actions,” he said. Lavrov said international courts have held "that a party which disowns or does t fulfill its own obligations cant be recognized as retaining rights which it claims to derive from a relationship.”

United States, having violated Security Council resolution and declined to implement 2015 nuclear agreement has refore “forfeited possibility” of using “snap back” provisions, he said. Lavrov called on US to stop undermining nuclear agreement and UN resolution. He said Russia and “or responsible members of international community will continue to make every effort” to preserve nuclear deal.

“ United States must recognise that re are neir legal r or grounds for its policy of using Security Council mandates to pursue its own selfish interests,” Lavrov said.