Pompeo urges UN to extend arms embargo on Iran; China says no way

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is urging the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran, warning that its expiration would risk the stability of the oil-rich region.

“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,” Pompeo tells the virtual session, referencing two opponents of prolonging the embargo.

The United States is adamant about prolonging the ban on conventional arms sales to its adversary which expires in October and has threatened to use a disputed legal move to force a return of UN sanctions on Iran.

The session hears a UN report that found that cruise missiles and drones from an attack last year in Saudi Arabia — a close US ally and Tehran’s regional rival — were of Iranian origin.

“Iran is already violating the arms embargo even before its expiration date. Imagine if Iranian activity were sanctioned — authorized — by this group if the restrictions are lifted,” Pompeo says.

Chinese envoy Zhang Jun says the US is no longer able to take action on the sanctions.

“Having quit the JCPOA, the US is no longer a participant and has no right to trigger a snapback at the Security Council,” he says.

Iran’s Mohammed Javad Zarif is scheduled to speak at the UN session soon

— AFP