Pompeo: "Sanctions Ready If Weapons Supplied to Iran"

UN Iran Arms Embargo Lifted, US Warns of Independent Sanctions
Iran Says "No Large-Scale Arms Imports"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 18th (local time), the day the United Nations (UN) lifted its arms embargo on Iran, the United States issued a statement warning of unilateral sanctions.

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, stated in the announcement that day, "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."

He also added that providing technical training and financial support could also make one subject to U.S. sanctions.

Secretary Pompeo further emphasized, "All countries seeking peace and stability in the Middle East and supporting the fight against terrorism should refrain from arms transactions with Iran."

The UN Security Council set the deadline for the UN's conventional arms embargo on Iran as October 18, 2020, according to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

With the expiration of the arms embargo, Iran has secured a foothold to import advanced weapons from Russia and China, enabling it to build military strength to counter the United States.

The United States, after failing to extend the Iran sanctions deadline at the Security Council, declared the restoration of UN sanctions and warned of unilateral sanctions.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized self-defense and stated that there would be no large-scale arms purchases.