Extend embargo on Iran, Pompeo tells UNSC

United Nations, July 1

Asserting that Iran is “not a responsible democracy” like Australia or India, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo advised the united states to increase the arms embargo on Tehran, failing which the nation can be free to buy Russia-made fighter jets placing Riyadh, New Delhi, Rome, and Warsaw in Iranian crosshairs. “Because of the flawed nuclear deal negotiated by the previous American administration, the arms embargo on the world’s most heinous terrorist regime is scheduled to expire on October 18, a mere four months from now,” he advised a digital UN Security Council assembly on Tuesday. Pompeo mentioned the UN Security Council has a alternative — both stand for worldwide peace and safety, because the United Nations’ founders supposed, or let the arms embargo on Iran expire, “betraying” the UN’s mission and its best beliefs, which nations have all pledged to uphold. “If you fail to act, Iran will be free to purchase Russian-made fighter jets that can strike up to a 3,000-kilometer radius, putting cities like Riyadh, New Delhi, Rome, and Warsaw in Iranian crosshairs,” he mentioned.

The high US diplomat mentioned if the arms embargo is just not prolonged, Iran will likely be free to improve and broaden its fleet of submarines to additional threaten worldwide transport and freedom of navigation within the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea.

“Iran will hold a sword of Damocles over the economic stability of the Middle East, endangering nations like Russia and China that rely on stable energy prices. Iran will be free to become a rogue weapons dealer, supplying arms to fuel conflicts from Venezuela to Syria, to the far reaches of Afghanistan,” he mentioned.

Noting that in November of final yr President Hassan Rouhani had mentioned that when the embargo is “lifted next year, we can easily buy and sell weapons”, Pompeo mentioned the Council ought to take Rouhani at his phrase, since “Iran is not a responsible democracy like Australia or India. We already know that Tehran will do, if given the ability to buy more weaponry.” He mentioned renewing the embargo will exert extra stress on Tehran to begin “behaving like a normal nation”. He mentioned the united states can not merely hope that Iran acts in good religion, given its proven fact sample. “The council must hold Iran accountable and we all have the chance to do so.” Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif responded that if the Council “falters”, it is going to be a “generational setback” for multilateralism and the rule of regulation. “The international community in general and the UN Security Council in particular are facing an important decision: Do we maintain respect for the rule of law or do we return to the law of the jungle by surrendering to the whims of an outlaw bully?” he posed. PTI