Danny Danon
Danny DanonFlash 90

Ahead of the expiring Iranian arms embargo, Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon on Sunday warned the UN Security Council about the cost of such a move.

Per Security Council Resolution 2231, Iran is prevented from importing or exporting a variety of weapon systems, including tanks, artillery systems, warships, submarines, aircraft, missiles, and other arms. Without Security Council action, this restriction will expire on October 18.

Danon highlighted Iran's violations, including transfers of "illicit arms to its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and recently even to Libya." This weaponry, which is "freely transported throughout the Middle East and used by armed militias and terrorist groups, poses a strategic threat not only to Israel, but to the entire region."

Through this illicit arms transfer, for example, Hezbollah, a terrorist organization and Iranian proxy in Lebanon, has been able to acquire "more than 150,000 missiles and rockets that have the ability to attack the entire State of Israel. The vast majority of these rockets have been transferred from Iran, in violation of not only Security Council Resolution 2231, but also of UNSCRs 1701 and 1559."

Danon also called attention to Iran's additional destabilizing activity in Lebanon.

"Through its Quds Force, Iran does not stop at the mere illicit transfer of arms to Hezbollah, but also contributes to the development of Hezbollah’s self-production capabilities. Iran transfers to Hezbollah advanced technologies, provides expertise and know-how in order to develop upgraded missiles and deadlier rockets of increased range, accuracy and sophistication. This project, taking place on Lebanese soil, exploits the local population by using local civilians as human shield to conceal its illicit activities, thereby not only contravening multiple Security Council resolutions, but also violating international law,” he said.

"These countless violations have been well documented in numerous sources, ranging from complaint letters submitted by concerned UN members; detailed accounts in public and social media; in national and international intelligence reports; and recently in the Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)."

Danon urged "the international community, and particularly the Security Council, to act swiftly and with great resolve to respond to the Iranian regimes’ violations, by using all means necessary to extend the arms embargo on Iran beyond the current October deadline."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently vowed to use all means available to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran. The United States has put forward a resolution to extend the embargo but faces opposition from veto-wielding Russia and China, which stand to win contracts with Tehran.

Last week, Pompeo threatened to seek to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran if the Security Council does not approve a resolution that would indefinitely extend the arms embargo.

Britain, France and Germany made clear recently they would not back US efforts to unilaterally trigger the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran.