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1/8 A thread about Europe's dangerous refusal to vote for the extension of the UN arms embargo against Iran.
@UKUN_NewYork @franceonu @GermanyUN put out similar explanations. They are all contradictory.
@francediplo @GermanyDiplo @foreignoffice https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/explanation-of-vote-on-non-proliferation-iran-resolution
@UKUN_NewYork @franceonu @GermanyUN put out similar explanations. They are all contradictory.
@francediplo @GermanyDiplo @foreignoffice https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/explanation-of-vote-on-non-proliferation-iran-resolution
2/8 The E3 do criticize Iran's "destabilizing actions," arms transfers to Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and "non-state actors" i.e. Hezbollah. Lifting the embargo "would have major implications for regional security."
So why did they agree to it in 2015? https://twitter.com/franceonu/status/1294409540587454464
So why did they agree to it in 2015? https://twitter.com/franceonu/status/1294409540587454464
3/8 Instead of correcting this past mistake, the E3 "abstained on this resolution because it was clear that it would not attract the support of the Council."
The E3 didn't vote "Yes" because others opposed it? How will preemptive retreat sway opinions? https://twitter.com/GermanyUN/status/1294407227651043330
The E3 didn't vote "Yes" because others opposed it? How will preemptive retreat sway opinions? https://twitter.com/GermanyUN/status/1294407227651043330
4/8 The E3 ought to be on the U.S. side. They should play hardball with Russia and China and warn of diplomatic and economic consequences if they veto the extension of the arms embargo. Such muscular posturing would also be the E3's best bet to preserve what's left of the JCPOA.
5/8 À propos the E3 wish to "preserve the JCPOA." We have been repeatedly told the nuclear deal was just about, well, nuclear issues. Why did 2231 cap the previously unlimited conventional arms embargo? Why did it also weaken the prohibition on Iranian missile tests?
6/8 The original UN arms embargo has been in place since 2007, 8 years before the JCPOA was negotiated. The need to prevent Iran from rearming and selling weapons is a stand-alone issue of such importance that it mustn't be subjugated to other objectives.
7/8 Moreover, it's doubtful whether there still is a nuclear deal to preserve at all given, as @GermanyUN put it, "Iran’s systematic non-compliance with key JCPOA commitments." This is even before discussing the deal's fatal flaws, not least the sunset clauses.
8/8 It seems the only option now left for the US is snapback, which would bring back all UN sanctions and finish the JCPOA for good. As I've laid out in @Newsweek @NewsweekOpinion, if the E3 wants to avoid snapback it must, paradoxically, fully back it.
https://www.newsweek.com/europe-must-join-fight-against-iranian-regime-opinion-1511605
https://www.newsweek.com/europe-must-join-fight-against-iranian-regime-opinion-1511605
