U.S. Attempt to Stop Lift of United Nations Embargo on Weapons Sales to Iran Fails

A United States motion to the United Nations Security Council, which “aimed at extending arms-related restrictions on Iran, set to expire in October”, has failed.

Following the enactment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA or Iran Nuclear Deal), the United Nations Security Council, consisting of permanent members: the United States; China; France; Russia; and United Kingdom, approved “the supply, sale or transfer directly or indirectly… to Iran, or for the use in or benefit of Iran, of any battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems… five years after the JCPOA Adoption Day”.

As the end of the weapons sale embargo approaches, the United States attempted to supplant the Security Council’s plan, extending the embargo “until the Council decides otherwise”.