Russia Vetoes Draft Resolution on Yemen and Concerns Over Iran's Actions

On Monday, March 7, Russia vetoed a draft resolution proposed by Britain regarding the extension of arms sanctions on Yemen, which expressed concern over Iran's violations of these sanctions. According to Reuters, the British draft resolution referenced a report by UN experts stating that Iran had not taken necessary measures to prevent the supply of weapons to Yemen in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2216. After the rejection of this draft, Russia presented a new resolution that extended the arms sanctions on Yemen without any reference to the UN report regarding Iran's 'violations' of these sanctions. The Russian proposal was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council. This resolution also extends the mandate of the working group (independent experts) for one year. The initial British draft, which had support from France and the US, initially condemned Iran for its failure to prevent violations of the arms sanctions on Yemen and the supply of weapons to the Houthi Shiite militants. However, Britain later removed the condemnation of Iran from this draft. Independent UN experts monitoring the implementation of Yemen's sanctions reported last month to the Security Council that they had found remnants of missiles that were originally Iranian and had been 'transferred to Yemen after the imposition of the arms embargo.' These experts stated that although they have no evidence to identify the supplier of the missiles fired from Yemen to Saudi Arabia or the intermediaries transferring them to Yemen, Iran has violated UN sanctions by failing to prevent the supply, sale, and transfer of these missiles and drones to Yemen. Last week, Britain urged Iran to cease activities that pose a risk of escalating conflict and war in Yemen. Meanwhile, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, responded to statements from the British Foreign Secretary and other Western officials last week, stating that the claim of missile delivery to Yemen amid the severe blockade of the country is false and a clumsy scenario. Yemen is described by experts and observers of Middle Eastern issues as a battleground for proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.