UNITED NATIONS, Mar 13 (APP): The United States and its Western allies clashed with Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday over Iran’s nuclear programme, as Washington sought to justify the military action it launched against Tehran earlier this month.
During a meeting of the 15-member council, chaired this month by the United States, Russia and China attempted to block discussions regarding the sanctions monitoring body known as the 1737 Committee, established to oversee and enforce UN sanctions on Iran.
However, their move was rejected after 11 members voted in favour, while two opposed and two abstained, allowing the discussion to proceed.
US accuses Russia and China of shielding Iran
Addressing the council, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz accused Moscow and Beijing of attempting to shield Tehran by blocking the committee’s work.
He said all UN member states should implement an arms embargo against Iran, prohibit the transfer of missile technology and freeze financial assets linked to the country’s weapons programmes.
“The UN provisions to be re-imposed are narrowly focused on addressing the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programmes and its continued support for terrorism,” Waltz told the council.
He further alleged that Russia and China sought to undermine the sanctions committee in order to maintain defence cooperation with Iran.
Russia, China reject US claims
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya rejected the accusations and accused Washington and its allies of exaggerating concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
He said the allegations about Iran seeking nuclear weapons had not been confirmed by reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and were being used to justify military action against Tehran.
China’s envoy to the UN, Fu Cong, also criticised Washington, describing it as the main instigator of the Iranian nuclear crisis.
He said the US had resorted to the use of force against Iran during ongoing negotiations, which undermined diplomatic efforts.
Iran insists programme is peaceful
Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran’s nuclear programme had always been peaceful and warned that Iran would not recognise any attempt to impose sanctions against it.
Western powers defend sanctions
Meanwhile, United Kingdom and France supported the re-imposition of sanctions, arguing that Iran had failed to address international concerns regarding its nuclear activities.
France told the council that the IAEA could no longer fully guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and warned that Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile could potentially be sufficient to produce up to 10 nuclear weapons.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had cited Iran’s nuclear programme as justification for military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.