Iran has informed members of the United Nations Security Council that the extension of arms embargo against the country is not acceptable to the Islamic Republic and would receive its firm response, a senior diplomat said.
“We have told them … that they should not deny Iran its legal right as per Resolution 2231 under the United States’ pressure,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said at a regular press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported.
The UN arms embargo is set to expire based on the resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The US, which has already exited the deal unilaterally and restored tough sanctions on Tehran, is now pushing for an indefinite extension of the ban. It has prepared a draft resolution to be put to a vote at the UN Security Council.
“Americans have spared no efforts in this regard … They have exerted intense pressure on countries at the Security Council and the regional level,” Mousavi said.
Washington has threatened to trigger the snapback of all UN sanctions on Tehran, if its resolution fails to win enough votes. The statement is based on the argument that the US remains an original participant under UNSCR 2231, despite having quit JCPOA.
Iran is also in talks with its allies and JCPOA parties about the issue, according to Mousavi.
“Judging by the consultations we have had with our friends, we consider it unlikely that Americans could achieve their goal and we do not suppose different countries would yield to this illegitimate demand and bullying,” he said.
Security Council veto powers, China and Russia, which are also parties to JCPOA, have opposed the measure downright, calling for the full implementation of Resolution 2231.
They have also stated that the US is neither entitled to interfere in JCPOA affairs, nor to trigger the snapback mechanism since it is no longer a participant.
The issue was recently discussed again with Russia during Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to Moscow.
Not Truthful
Asked about the US expression of readiness to engage in talks with Iran about peace in Afghanistan, Mousavi said Iran sees no truthfulness in Americans’ remarks.
US-led forces toppled the Taliban government in 2001, but the insurgent group has remained resilient for nearly two decades.
In late February, the US signed a landmark deal with the Taliban, laying out a timetable for a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan within 14 months as it seeks an exit from its longest-ever war.
The negotiators are now trying to work out an agreement for a comprehensive ceasefire and the future governance of Afghanistan.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has said regional countries should positively engage in the process.
“We have agreed to arrange meetings with Iran about Afghanistan and want Tehran to express its support for the proposal,” he had said earlier.
He has recently accused Iran of being unsupportive of the so-called US peace efforts.
“Iran has not been as supportive as it should be in the effort to get to intra-Afghan negotiations and an Afghan settlement largely due to our [the US] relations with them,” Khalilzad said.
Mousavi said Iran has capacities that it will definitely use to establish peace and stability in its neighboring country.
“Tehran supports intra-Afghan dialogue led by the Afghan government and rejects any foreign intervention in this regard,” he said.
“We believe that their [America’s] presence causes insecurity and instability in the region, especially in Afghanistan.”
According to Mousavi, by resorting to negotiations with different groups, the US aims to save its own face instead of bringing about peace for the Afghan government and nation.
