UN Arms Embargo on Iran Expires

Iran is now free from the international embargo that lasted over a decade (Wikimedia Commons).

The United Nations Security Council’s arms embargo on Iran ended as a provision of Resolution 2231 on October 18. The council, which imposed the embargo 13 years ago, lifted it due to Iran’s historic 2015 nuclear deal. Now, Iran may legally acquire arms ranging from missiles to tanks. 

Iranian leaders capitalized on the news, claiming that the end of the embargo marks “a momentous day for the international community... in defiance of the U.S. regime’s effort.” Though the development stands as a major victory for Iran’s government, the country still endures economic hardships due to U.S. sanctions. Although Iran could theoretically purchase weapons en masse, its Foreign Ministry has attested that “unconventional arms, weapons of mass destruction, and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place” in their arsenal. 

Both the U.S. and Israel strongly opposed the Security Council’s action. The United States, which had previously maintained the position that these sanctions should snap back despite withdrawing from the JCPOA, stated its preparedness to “use domestic authorities to sanction” Iran if needed. Additionally, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, addressing other international leaders, remarked that “any country that now challenges this prohibition will be very clearly choosing to fuel conflict and tension over promoting peace and security.” In this statement, the U.S. also reaffirmed its belief that arms sent to Iran would likely fall into the arms of terrorists and exacerbate regional tensions. Israel stands in accord with this position. 

In 2019, the U.S. predicted several outcomes if the UN were to lift the embargo. The Defense Intelligence Agency believed that Iran would at most purchase several jets and tanks from Russia, and that they may also attempt to purchase weapons from China. Other analysts concur, stating that the Kremlin would serve as the primary supplier of new military hardware to the Iranians.