MOSCOW: Security Council’s refusal to back US anti-Iran resolution reminds Washington of the existence of international law

MOSCOW, (ST)- The Russian Foreign Ministry has stressed that the almost unanimous refusal of the United Nations Security Council to support a US-sponsored draft resolution on extending the arms embargo against Iran proves that international law exists and is still influential.

  “The draft resolution was categorically rejected by the Security Council. The results of the vote worked as a reminder for the US colleagues that international law exists,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

It added that the Security Council members’ refusal to support the draft resolution showed that all the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2231, that endorses the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) , must be observed by everyone, including Washington.

 The ministry emphasized that the US knew in advance that its resolution would not be supported and that there was no reason for imposing the arms embargo on Iran.

The Russian ministry also said that Moscow considers the interaction within the Security Council as a responsible common work for the sake of maintaining and strengthening international peace and security, pointing out that Washington’s desire to extend Iran arms embargo has nothing to do with this goal.

According to the statement, the failure of the draft resolution clearly confirmed that pressure force as well as the demonization of Iran are not the solution to tension in the Gulf region.

It also noted a proposal put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin to convene a video summit in the presence of the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany and Iran in a bid to avoid confrontation and escalation at the United Nations. It said that it is an invitation to start a meaningful conversation and constructive cooperation on necessary issues.

 “We hope that this proposal will receive broad support and will be implemented,” the ministry said.

The UN Security Council rejected a US bid to extend arms embargo on Iran after Russia and China had vetoed a draft resolution submitted by Washington for this purpose.

Russia and China have voted against the draft resolution, while Britain, France and Germany as well as eight other countries abstained from voting. Only the United States and the Dominican Republic supported the draft resolution.

Hamda Mustafa