Iran declares end of UN arms embargo despite US opposition
TEHRAN, Iran (North Press) – Despite opposition from the United States, a long-standing conventional arms embargo imposed on Iran has expired in line with the terms of a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed that it does not see a place for weapons of mass destruction in its defense strategy.
October 18 marks the end of a decade-old United Nations arms embargo against Iran after the United States failed overcome opposition within the UN Security Council to get it extended — including opposition from Washington’s European allies.
The expiration date for the embargo was agreed upon under the 2015 nuclear deal that Washington unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
The landmark nuclear deal, also known as JCPOA and signed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China, plus Germany, was designed to limit Iran’s capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear fuel for a specified period, in exchange for the return of cash that had been frozen and the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 was a 20 July 2015 resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program of Iran. It sets out an inspection process and schedule while also preparing for the removal of United Nations sanctions against Iran. The 15 nations on the Security Council unanimously endorsed the resolution, which had been negotiated by the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—plus Germany, the European Union, and Iran.
After Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the agreement in May 2018, the Trump administration threatened to trigger the so-called snapback UN sanctions against Iran if it fails to secure the embargo extension.
In theory, Iran will once again be able to purchase and sell conventional weapons that include tanks, combat aircraft, and heavy artillery.
The development has been condemned by Washington as a threat to global security.
In Tehran, it is already being celebrated by Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani. On October 14, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said: “Ten years of unjust arms sanctions will end on October 18.”
Rouhani said that, from that day on, “we will be able to sell our arms to anyone we choose and we can purchase arms from anyone we choose.”
“Next week, we will be congratulating and giving glad tidings to the people that ten years of cruel arms embargo will come to an end. We fought with America on this issue for four years,” Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting on October 14, according to the official website of the Iranian president. “Over the past four years, America used everything in its power to prevent the lifting of the embargo on October 18. The embargo will be lifted due to the endurance of the people.”
Analysts say even Russia and China, which have both opposed Washington’s campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran, are likely to be reluctant to sell weapons to Tehran.
“Ironically, the expiry of arms-transfer restrictions is likely to have a limited effect on actual transfers of conventional weapons,” said Oliver Meier, a senior researcher at the Berlin office of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy.
In September, Russia suggested it was ready to develop military ties with Iran after the arms embargo is lifted. China already is engaged in talks on a 25-year strategic partnership with Iran.