Iran, with UN arms embargo lifted, says "Will export weapons despite US interference"

Iran Defense Minister "Weapon Export Preparation Complete"
Pompeo "Will Take Independent Sanctions Against Iran"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the Iranian government announced its intention to resume arms exports immediately after the UN arms embargo was lifted, a clash is expected with the United States, which plans to impose unilateral sanctions on Iran. The U.S. government had previously submitted a proposal to the UN to extend the arms embargo on Iran, but it was rejected by the UN Security Council, resulting in the lifting of the embargo.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 18th (local time), under the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the UN arms embargo on Iran was lifted starting that day. As soon as the sanctions were lifted, the Iranian government openly expressed its intention to export weapons. Amir Hatami, Iran's Minister of Defense, said in an interview with state television, "Many countries have already inquired about importing weapons from us," and emphasized, "We are negotiating with some of these countries, and even if the U.S. interferes, we will sell weapons to the countries we want."

Minister Hatami stated, "All preparations related to arms exports are complete," adding, "Iran's arms exports will be broader and larger in scale than its imports," and emphasized, "Every country has the right to defend its own territory." He continued, "Iran will be a successful and benevolent actor in maintaining this peace through self-reliant defense," and claimed, "U.S. sanctions have provided an opportunity for us to advance self-reliant defense, and Iran has the capability to produce 90% of the weapons it needs domestically."

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which guarantees the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, the arms export and import sanctions imposed on Iran in 2006 (Resolution 1737), 2007 (Resolution 1747), and 2010 (Resolution 1929) were set to be lifted after a certain period. Conventional weapons sanctions are scheduled to be lifted five years after the adoption of the nuclear deal, on October 18, 2020. Sanctions on weapons, parts, and technology related to nuclear weapons manufacturing will be lifted eight years later, on October 18, 2023. However, even after the lifting, Iran's conventional arms exports and imports require approval from the UN Security Council on a case-by-case basis. This is a stricter condition compared to other exceptions to arms embargoes, which are approved by the relevant sanctions committee.

Although UN sanctions have been lifted, U.S. sanctions are expected to continue, which will likely impose restrictions on Iran's public arms exports. On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasized, "The United States is prepared to use its domestic authority to sanction individuals or entities that materially contribute to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional weapons to Iran," and warned that providing technical training or financial support could also make them subject to U.S. sanctions. Given the powerful financial sanctions enforced by the U.S., it is expected that Iran will face significant limitations in receiving payments for arms exports. Previously, the U.S. submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council in August to indefinitely extend the arms embargo, arguing that lifting it would allow unlimited arms supplies to terrorist organizations, but the resolution was rejected.

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