On August 14, the media reported the results of the UN Security Council vote on a draft US resolution on establishing a permanent and unlimited ban on arms and military equipment deliveries to and from Iran. The UN Security Council unequivocally rejected the draft resolution.

Its initiators knew from the outset that this idea did not gain broad support. There are no reasons for introducing an arms embargo against Iran. The world staunchly rejects Washington’s line to undermine UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and to wreck the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme. Nevertheless, the US side decided to move forward.

Apart from the United States, only one non-permanent UN Security Council member supported the document. The voting result once again reminded our US colleagues that international law exists and that everyone must honour UN Security Council resolutions, including the one that approved the JCPOA. This also applies to Washington, which must honour the resolution in its entirety, and not only the part it finds acceptable. In turn, we will continue to do our utmost to prevent the United States from eroding the international legal foundations of the modern world order.

Our vision of cooperation at the UN Security Council is that it is not a clash of ambitions but responsible joint work aimed at maintaining and strengthening international peace and security. The US determination to push the anti-Iran embargo through is far removed from this effort. The failure of the draft resolution shows vividly that it is impossible to resolve disagreements and mutual complaints that have accumulated in the Persian Gulf region through pressure and brute force or by demonising Iran. We need a meticulous search for effective multilateral solutions that must undoubtedly involve all the concerned states, namely, members of the UN Security Council, Iran and its neighbours.

These solutions are called on to lay a solid foundation for collective security in the Persian Gulf, which the region needs urgently. This is not just a matter for the people living in this part of the world and their neighbours.  Putting an end to the string of crises and conflicts is a task for the entire international community because the situation in the Persian Gulf has a major impact on shaping the overall geopolitical environment. Therefore, it is vitally important that all parties continue to consistently fulfil the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

On August 14, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin suggested convening a meeting of the heads of state of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the participation of the leaders of Germany and Iran. This is an invitation to launch a detailed conversation and constructive cooperation in the right direction. We hope that this proposal will receive broad support and will be implemented. We must not hesitate.