Obama’s UN ambassador says Iran not meeting obligations

Obama’s UN Ambassador acknowledged that Iran was violating its obligations under the UN Security Council resolution that endorsed the Iran nuclear agreement of 2015. 

Outgoing US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power admitted that uncertainties remain regarding Iran’s compliance with its obligations under a UN Security Council resolution last year that not only endorsed the international nuclear agreement with Iran but also removed a number of international sanctions against Iran.

“This progress on Iran nuclear issues should not distract this council from Iran’s other actions that continue to destabilize the Middle East, in ways that affect a lot of issues on this council’s agenda,” acknowledged Power.

“This is after all a regime that repeatedly threatens Israel and continues to violate the human rights of its own people.”

Power pointed to several instances in which Iran has violated its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council Resolution.

“Undersecretary General Feltman has informed this council about reports of Iranian non-compliance with the remaining arms transfer and travel restrictions in Resolution 2231,” she noted.  “These reports include new information about interdictions of arms exported from Iran, transfers [Hezbollah] Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah has openly boasted about in his public speeches even as Resolution 2231 prohibits these shipments.”

The previous UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon had expressed such concerns in his last report to the UN Security Council regarding Iranian shipment of arms and weapons to the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.

“Israel has also reported to the UN that Iran is using commercial flights to supply arms to Hezbollah,” added Power. “According to the UN Secretary General’s report, Iran did not even deny these allegations when the UN asked about them.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, informed the UN Security Council in November that such shipments were taking place on commercial flights.

“These arms transfers should be deeply troubling to each member of this council in part because Iran is clearly defying a resolution this council unanimously supported,” noted Power.

The outgoing US Ambassador also referenced two senior military officials in Iran who violated restrictions in Resolution 2231 that prohibit various individuals “from entry into or transit” into the territories of other member states.

“The Secretary General’s report notes that both Major General Hassem Soleimani and Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi have traveled to Iran and Syria in defiance of this council’s decisions,” Power revealed. “That is and should be to all of us unacceptable.”

Nevertheless, Power contended that “Iran is living up to its nuclear commitments” in the deal negotiated  in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany).

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News

Ban Ki-MoonHezbollahIranIran nuclear dealSamantha PowerUnited NationsUnited Nations Security Council