Russia paving the way for veto in Security Council against US draft resolution to denounce Iran

Russia paving the way for veto in Security Council against US draft resolution to denounce Iran
Fecha de publicación: 
10 March 2018
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Russia is preparing to use a veto on Monday to thwart an attempt by the United States, Britain and France on the UN Security Council to criticize Iran for its weapons access to the Houthis in Yemen.

The 15-nation Security Council should renew sanctions on Yemen on Monday. Russia has proposed a counter-resolution that simply calls for a one-year extension of the sanctions regime without mentioning Iran.

For months, the United States has been trying to drum up support to hold Iran accountable to the United Nations and at the same time threaten to pull out of a nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Tehran and major powers to curb Iran’s nuclear program unless its “catastrophic flaws” are modified.

Britain drafted a resolution in consultation with the United States and France, which initially included condemnation of Iran for violating the arms embargo on Houthi leaders, as well as a commitment by the Council to take action.

But the latest British version of the draft resolution dropped the word of condemnation and expressed concern about UN experts who monitor sanctions for Iran’s violation of the arms embargo for failing to prevent the arrival of missiles and drones to the Houthis.

The draft resolution requires the approval of nine members and the non-use of a veto by any permanent member.

The two draft resolutions seek to renew the United Nations embargo on arms supplies to Houthi leaders, “self-employed or under their direction”. The inclusion of individuals and entities on black lists could also threaten peace and stability in Yemen or hamper relief operations.

US envoy to the United Nations Nicky Healy took her Security Council colleagues to Washington in January to brief them on parts of rockets fired by the Huthis on Saudi Arabia in an attempt to convince them of the US position on Iran.

But the Russian delegate to the international organization Vasily Nibenzia said after the visit that he did not believe there was a cause for the United Nations to move against Iran. Iran has described cutting off weapons offered in Washington as “fabricated”.

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