[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 18th (local time), the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the UN sanctions banning the import and export of conventional weapons have been lifted.
According to AFP, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, "As of today, all restrictions related to arms transfers and related activities, including financial services, have automatically ended."
The lifting of UN sanctions is in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which guarantees the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signed in 2015.
Iran reached an agreement with six major countries including the United States, Russia, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France to lift economic sanctions in exchange for halting nuclear development.
The UN Security Council resolution guaranteeing this set the deadline for the UN's conventional arms embargo on Iran to October 18, 2020.
However, it remains uncertain whether Iran's import and export of conventional weapons will be accepted in the international community, where the United States exerts significant influence.
The US administration led by President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal signed during the previous Barack Obama administration, demanding Iran halt its expansion of influence in the Middle East and abandon ballistic missile development.
The Trump administration opposes lifting the arms embargo on Iran and is strongly urging the JCPOA parties to extend sanctions, making it unclear whether Iran will be able to procure weapons overseas without restrictions.
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