Iran’s UN arms embargo expires, much to the chagrin of US

 The 13-year-long sanctions on the trading of arms with Iran came to an end on October 18 as part of the nuclear deal signed in 2015.

 The Iranian foreign ministry announced the end of its arms embargo in line with the nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015 between Iran and the US, China, the E3, and Russia. The deal gives Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its military nuclear program. The US, which withdrew from the treaty in 2018, has been trying its best and failing, to get the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the embargo.

 Iran will now be able to buy and sell conventional arms like missiles, helicopters, and tanks from any source based on its needs, and without restrictions, the foreign ministry communique said. It added, however, that Iran was self-reliant in its defensive needs and a buying spree of conventional arms, weapons of mass destruction, or unconventional weapons was not in their defense doctrine. There is still an EU embargo on conventional weapons and missile technology which was introduced in 2007 and will continue until 2023.

 The US, supported by Israel and some Arab countries, have been heavily criticizing this move, or the lack of it, saying anyone who wants to fight against terrorism and wants peace and stability in the Middle East must not make defense deals with Iran. They argue that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and their proxies and allies like the Houthis, Hezbollah, Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Bashar Al Assad will be the ones who would benefit. With the US threatening to use all its domestic authority and power of sanctions to prevent any exchange of weapons with Iran, only Russia and China are likely to do business with them.

 Even these two countries would be tempered in their dealings. China, which would hope to reset its relations with the US should Joe Biden win the elections, might thread cautiously despite a strengthening strategic partnership with Iran. Russia will make its move after carefully considering the balance of power in the region and its relationship with other players in the Gulf. Iran too, reeling under the pandemic, is cash strapped and stretched thin and is unlikely to shell out billions of dollars for advanced weapons systems. In fact, it would take many years before its weapons spending equals that of Saudi Arabia or the UAE. 

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