Zarif's Reaction to Pompeo's Presence at the Security Council: 'Bluster'

Iran's Foreign Minister reacted to the statements of his American counterpart at the UN Security Council regarding Iran's violation of the arms embargo resolution, accusing him of 'bluster.' The Iranian ambassador to the UN also stated that the United States has taken the Security Council 'hostage.' Mike Pompeo, during the Security Council meeting on Wednesday, December 12, stated that Washington is working with 14 other members of the council to re-establish ballistic missile restrictions on Iran. He also said that the UN arms embargo against Iran should not be lifted in 2020 and called on the Security Council to implement 'deterrent measures and inspections in ports and international waters' to neutralize what he described as Iran's 'persistent efforts to circumvent arms restrictions.' His remarks referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which was issued on July 20, 2015, in support of the six-power agreement with Iran regarding the resolution of its nuclear program, prohibiting the import or export of arms to or from Iran for five years. This prohibition expires in 2020. Mohammad Javad Zarif also reacted to these statements on his Twitter account, stating that Pompeo 'in the latest example of mocking' the UN Security Council regarding the violation of Resolution 2231 'has blustered and outlined plans for further violations of this resolution.' He added that the US Secretary of State's statements at the Security Council 'confirmed that the US and its allies rely on the annulled Resolution 1929 regarding Iran's missiles.' Zarif described the US as an 'isolated' country that punishes other nations for adhering to resolutions as the first permanent member of the Security Council. The review of Iran's latest missile test comes after the US Secretary of State labeled Iran a violator of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 for testing a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Shortly thereafter, Iranian officials confirmed the test but denied the missile's capability to carry a nuclear warhead. Isaq Al Habib, the Iranian ambassador to the UN, also condemned the US for its unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and for 'challenging' this agreement. He stated, 'Any inaction or leniency in taking appropriate action against America's wrong policies will only embolden it to continue its illegal actions and irresponsible policies.' Al Habib called on the Security Council to 'strongly condemn the United States for imposing these sanctions and hold it accountable for taking actions contrary to Resolution 2231.' The Iranian ambassador to the UN added, 'The US has reached a level of audacity where it has taken the Security Council hostage and a permanent member of the Security Council shamelessly threatens the members of the organization not for violating a resolution of this council, but for adhering to it.' He described Mike Pompeo's statements at the Security Council as 'a series of false, fabricated, incorrect, and deceptive statements' and added, 'The United States is attempting to create ambiguity and confusion by spreading lies, providing false information, and proposing irrelevant criteria to facilitate the misinterpretation of the resolution concerning Iran's missile launches.' Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, also identified the US as 'the biggest violator of international commitments' and stated, 'The violation and defiance of Resolution 2231 of the Security Council is a clear example of the behavior of an unruly, rebellious, and obstinate state.' Previously, the Iranian representation at the UN had accused the US of 'misusing' the Security Council to advance its 'malicious purposes' against Tehran and described its policies against Tehran as 'hypocritical and audacious.' Meanwhile, Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, stated that Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, urges Iran to 'carefully' address and alleviate the concerns of member states regarding its ballistic missile activities. Eight European countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the UK, also supported the JCPOA on Wednesday and issued a statement urging Tehran to refrain from 'destabilizing activities in the region,' especially its ballistic missile tests.