Iran FM dismisses fresh US attempt at extending UN arms embargo

Tehran, Sep 18 (IANS) The Iranian foreign minister dismissed the fresh US attempt at extending a UN arms embargo on Iran.

“Nothing new happens” in the coming days as “the US is not a participant” in the Iranian nuclear deal, internationally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zarif’s remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington “will return to the United Nations to reimpose sanctions so that the arms embargo will become permanent next week.”

The administration US President Donald Trump has sought to invoke the snapback mechanism to restore all pre-2015 UN sanctions against Iran after its failed attempt in the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo against Iran.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA in 2015, the arms embargo against Iran will expire on Oct 18.

–IANS

rt/