Pompeo pushes for arms embargo at UN, Russian envoy says US 'knee on Iran's neck'

US State Secretary Mike Pompeo made his pitch at UN Security Council, on June 30, to indefinitely extend arms embargo on Iran which was vehemently opposed by Russia. arms embargo on Iran is set to expire in mid-October under Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), also kwn as Iran nuclear deal.

Pompeo said that Iran will be free to become a “rogue” weapon dealer to fuel conflicts once arms embargo expires on October 18 under “flawed nuclear deal” signed by Obama administration. He highlighted that Iran isn’t a “responsible democracy” like India or Australia and if embargo expires, it will be free to purchase Russian-made fighter jets that can put cities like Riyadh, New Delhi, Rome, and Warsaw in Iranian crosshairs.

top US diplomat said that Tehran will be free to purchase new and advanced techlogies for its proxies and partners throughout Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis. He warned that Rouhani’s regime will hold a “sword of Damocles” over ecomic stability of Middle East.

“This chamber has a choice: Stand for international peace and security, as United Nations’ founders intended, or let arms embargo on Islamic Republic of Iran expire, betraying UN’s mission and its finest ideals, which we have all pledged to uphold,” said Pompeo, pushing Council to adopt draft resolution to extend embargo.

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'Maximum pressure' policy

However, Russia strongly objected to Trump administration’s demand, saying American policy of “unilateral steps” neglects “common sense” and opinions of or states. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told Council that “maximum pressure” policy is akin to kneeling on someone’s neck, a veiled reference to George Floyd’s death that has triggered protests across US against systemic racism.

“ goal is to carry out a regime change or to create a situation in which Iran literally wouldn’t be able to brea. This is like putting a knee to one’s neck,” said Nebenzia.

In order to get Security Council resolution adopted, US would need nine votes in favour and vetoes from permanent members including Russia and China. However, Moscow and Beijing have already indicated that y are t in favour of extending embargo, which means resolution will get vetoed.

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