Security Council will vote next week.
The U.S. State Department is asking the United Nations Security Council to vote this week on a resolution to extend a 13-year-old arms embargo against Iran that expires in October.
“We have an objective to extend the arms embargo,” Brian Hook, special envoy for Iran, said. “That can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it’s going to be extended.”
But the Security Council vote is likely not to pass. Even if the U.S. can drum up the nine votes for passing the chamber, it would likely face a veto from China and Russia.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that if the UN does not act to extend the embargo, the U.S. will seek to “snap back” sanctions it claims it is authorized to do as a still-participating member of U.N. Resolution 2231, which codified the Iran deal that the U.S. left in 2018.
“The Council would make an absolute mockery of that mission if it allowed the number one state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell weapons freely,” Secretary Pompeo said.
Hook said it would be “diplomatic malpractice” and a “reckless decision” for the international community to allow the embargo to expire.
Brian Hook is stepping down from his post and will be replaced by Elliott Abrams, currently the special representative to Venezuela.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For America’s Ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, as she pushes for passage of the resolution to continue the embargo on arms to Iran.
- That the UN Security Council would act in the best interest of the entire planet and extend the arms embargo.
- For Elliott Abrams as he assumes the role of Special Envoy to Iran.
Sources: One America News, Reuters, Fox News
