(VOVWORLD) - The world community is focused on the US presidential election, which comes at a critical time, and on the Trump administration’s backing of a so-called a “peace agreement” between Israel and two Arab countries and resuming of sanctions against Iran. The new sanctions on Iran have triggered a strong backlash around the world.
 US President Donald Trump |
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last Saturday that UN embargos on Iran should be restored and the US will impose consequences on any UN member that does not comply. Pompeo said if any UN member fails to fulfill its obligation to implement these sanctions, the United States is prepared to impose consequences for that failure and ensure that Iran does not benefit from any UN-prohibited activity.
The US’s unilateral move is being strongly resisted by many countries, including US allies.
Countries oppose the restoration of sanctions on Iran
The Russian foreign ministry on Sunday issued a statement condemning the US’s unilateral declaration that UN sanctions on Iran are back in force. It said the United States continues to mislead the international community by suggesting that the UN Security Council has completed procedures to restore the UN Security Council sanctions on Iran that were terminated after the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.
On Sunday UN High Representative on Foreign Affairs and Security Polysy Jossep Borreli rejected the US statement, saying the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and can not now restore the sanctions under UNSC resolution 2231.
 UN High Representative on Foreign Affairs and Security Polysy Jossep Borreli (photo: AFP) |
JCPOA commitments to remove sanctions remain in place and the JCPOA will continue to be enforced and fully implemented by Iran and the other parties involved. He said the JCPOA is the main pillar of global non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and he called on all parties to abide by the agreement refrain from escalating tensions.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations will not support reimposing sanctions on Iran, as “there would appear to be uncertainty” on this matter.
Unfeasible efforts and dangerous consequences
Analysts say strong opposition from the community, including Russia, China, and the EU – a US ally – suggests that the US move could backfire. Restoring UN sanctions on Iran would mean scrapping the Iran nuclear deal, a result of several years of international efforts.
US allies have been put in a difficult position, oppose the US or oppose the JCPOA. Analysts advise delaying negotiations with Iran until the US presidential election is over, anticipating that Washington’s strategy will change if the Democrat candidate wins. But if Trump is reelected, US allies will have to choose between Washington and the Iran nuclear deal.