Russia says it no longer sees the need to comply with UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iran's missile program

Russia announced that after the expiration of UN Security Council resolutions regarding the provision of missile technology to Iran on Wednesday, October 18, it no longer sees the need to comply with them. This comes as the European Union stated on Tuesday that, alongside the United States, it will continue to adhere to UN sanctions related to Iran's ballistic missile program even after these sanctions expire. The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement did not clarify whether it now intends to support Iran's missile development program. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement, 'the supply of goods subject to the missile technology control regime to and from Iran no longer requires prior approval from the UN Security Council.' The limitations mentioned in Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted in 2015 to endorse the JCPOA, were defined to prevent the development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by Iran. Following the unilateral withdrawal of the previous U.S. administration from the JCPOA in 2018 and the imposition of unilateral sanctions against Iran by Washington, Tehran accelerated its nuclear program. The goal of the UN sanctions is to prevent the development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by Iran. These sanctions will expire on Wednesday, October 18. However, the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union have announced weeks in advance that they will continue to enforce these sanctions. Reuters previously reported that Russia's use of Iranian drones against Ukraine, the potential transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia, and the need to deprive Iran of the benefits of the JCPOA are the three main reasons for this decision. The Russian Foreign Ministry also requested that the European Union and the United States lift their sanctions against Iran. The U.S. emphasized that it will continue to hold Iran accountable with all available tools. The U.S. expressed concern over the launch of a satellite by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; sanctions will continue. In response to Iran's missile display, the U.S. emphasized countering Iran's destabilizing behaviors. The U.S. aligns with European partners: Iran's missile sanctions will not be lifted. Borrell: The three European countries will not lift JCPOA sanctions; Iran: We will respond within the framework of the JCPOA. The U.S. permanent representative to the UN stated that the use of Iranian drones violates Security Council Resolution 2231.