Valiati: We Will Not Submit to the Security Council Resolution

Ali Akbar Velayati, the international advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, dismissed Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's "defensive capabilities," particularly its missiles, stating that "the Islamic Republic has not and will not comply with it." According to Fars News Agency, on Wednesday, August 7, Velayati emphasized that this resolution was passed under the influence of what he called "Western superiority-seeking countries" to "weaken Iran's defensive power." The resolution passed on July 19 by the UN Security Council allows the transfer of ballistic missile technology and heavy weapons to Iran, subject to approval by Security Council members, but the United States has announced it will veto such actions. Furthermore, despite the lifting of sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program, restrictions on ballistic missile technology will remain for eight years and heavy weapons for five years. However, Abbas Araqchi, a senior member of the Iranian negotiation team, stated on Sunday, August 4, that the language used in Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's missile program is not a "binding and legal obligation." Araqchi noted that the resolution calls on Iran not to engage in activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, while Iranian officials assert that none of the Islamic Republic's missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads and are "completely outside the scope of the new Security Council resolution." Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had previously stated that parts of the Security Council draft resolution "will never be accepted" and "have no validity." On the same Wednesday, Majid Takht Ravanchi, a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiation team, mentioned that if a final agreement with the P5+1 group is signed "on time," it would take four to six months from now to "practically lift the sanctions," considering the time needed to implement certain actions. He added that the Security Council resolution will be the last resolution, stating, "We have prepared a roadmap that after ten years, Iran's file in the Security Council will be closed." Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, had also previously stated that the Security Council's oversight of Iran's nuclear file "will end after ten years." He emphasized that the new Security Council resolution "has no punitive mechanism" and that UN sanctions will not "return" based on this resolution. However, Zarif's statement comes as Security Council Resolution 2231 allows for the reinstatement of UN sanctions if Iran violates the commitments of the final agreement over the next ten years.