Iran: "US Government's Attempt to Extend Arms Embargo Is a Big Mistake"

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong]The Iranian government has warned that the U.S. government's attempt to extend the arms embargo against Iran, which was set to expire this October under the 'JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action),' would be a "very, very big mistake."

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, said on the 25th (local time), "If the Trump administration tries to extend the arms embargo against Iran, it will be a very, very big mistake and will ultimately fail."

He added, "If that actually happens, we will not be bound by the behavioral guidelines required by that sanction," emphasizing, "All possibilities will be open."

Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, Chief of Staff to the Iranian President, also pointed out that day, "The U.S. sells various types of fighter jets and the latest weapons to the Middle East to kill the people of Yemen, yet says Russia and China should not sell defense weapons to Iran."

The U.S. government submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on the 23rd of this month, calling for the indefinite extension of the arms embargo against Iran, which is set to end under the nuclear deal. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo argued, "If the arms embargo is lifted, Iran will be able to purchase the latest weapons systems and become an arms broker sought by terrorist organizations and rogue regimes worldwide," adding, "This is unacceptable."

China and Russia, permanent members of the Security Council and considered allies of Iran, oppose the U.S. attempt to extend the arms embargo against Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.