US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook stressed on Monday that Washington is continuing its efforts to extend the arms embargo against Iran, which was enforced 13 years ago, for the sake of achieving stability in the region and the world.
Based on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the UN Security Council will lift the arms embargo by October 18. Washington has prepared a draft resolution it has submitted to the UNSC members to extend the embargo beyond the deadline.
“No one believes Iran should be able to buy and sell conventional weapons,” Hook said, adding: “Conflicts in Syria and elsewhere will intensify if the arms embargo on Iran is lifted.”
The official spoke from Kuwait where he held talks Monday with Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
Hook said that ending the embargo will seriously compromise peace and security of the Middle East.
"I've spoken with leaders here in the Gulf and around the world - no one believes that Iran should be able to freely buy and sell conventional weapons such as fighter jets ... and various kinds of missiles," Hook said.
He added that if the Security Council fails to extend the arms embargo, Iran will be able to freely buy and sell these weapons.
“Imagine what the region will look like if this happens, conflicts in places like Syria and Yemen will certainly intensify,” he warned.
