Extension of EU sanctions against Iran 'illegal': Lavrov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 2023 23:33
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Last Thursday, the E3 made an announcement stating their intention to maintain sanctions against Tehran in connection to its atomic program and ballistic missiles’ development.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a high-level UNSC meeting on the situation in Ukraine, on Sept. 20, 2023. (AP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that the UK, France, and Germany's decision to prolong sanctions against Iran, originally scheduled to conclude in October, is in violation of international law.

"The problem related to the sanctions regimes also requires attention ... The Security Council ... approves sanctions against a specific country, and then the United States and its allies impose ‘additional’ unilateral restrictions against the same state ... The latest blatant example of this approach is the decision just taken by Berlin, Paris, and London through their national legislation to ‘extend’ restrictions on Iran that expire in October, which are subject to legal termination in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231," Lavrov said.

Last Thursday, London, Paris, and Berlin made an announcement stating their intention to maintain sanctions against Tehran in connection to its atomic program and ballistic missiles’ development.

In a letter addressed to Josep Borrell, the EU's chief of external affairs, the three European nations that are parties to the agreement, commonly referred to as the E3, conveyed that Iran had significantly violated the 2015 nuclear deal.

This breach pertained to the alleged excessive stockpiling of enriched uranium and the obstruction of UN inspectors' access to its nuclear program.

Consequently, they argued that the sanctions pertaining to Iran's ballistic missile program must continue to be enforced.

Risks of global conflict further increasing

On another note, the Russian diplomat stressed that the risk of a global conflict is further on the rise.

"The risks of global conflict are also growing," Lavrov said.

To mitigate these risks, Russia stressed the importance of upholding all aspects of the UN Charter without exceptions.

This includes upholding principles such as the equal sovereignty of nations, refraining from interference in their domestic affairs, respecting territorial integrity, and recognizing the right of populations to self-determination, as highlighted by Lavrov.

Statements by the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at the UN Security Council meeting:

- "Selected individuals from the United States became the main participants in the coup in Ukraine in 2014."

- "The West today only refers to the principles of the UN Charter according to its… pic.twitter.com/cl4rt7F79Y
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