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AMBASSADOR CRAFT: [...] So as you can tell, there’s a number of issues on which we’ve seen success, but a clear-eyed and honest assessment of the council activities suggests that we’ve got a long way to go. We need to earn the full confidence of the American people and the international community. And one of those things that Secretary Pompeo has already talked about is an extension of the arms embargo, Iran arms embargo, before the current one expires October 18th.

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QUESTION: Thank you, Madam Ambassador, and apologies but I’m filling in for our State Department correspondent who is not there today. I have a question about Iran and how the U.S. is going to pursue this arms embargo, given that the Russian ambassador has said quite unequivocally that they oppose any change to the arms embargo and do not believe that the United States has any standing to invoke the snapback provision in the JCPOA because of the Trump administration’s pull-out in 2018. So how are you going to try and move ahead on this? Thank you.

AMBASSADOR CRAFT: Thank you, Edith. It’s great to hear your voice. Can they hear me – can – I don’t – yeah, okay. First of all, the U.S. is going to exercise all of our diplomatic options to ensure that the UN arms embargo is extended. My job is to make sure that this arms embargo extension happens. I mean, I’m working very closely with the Secretary, with Brian Hook – this 2231 that’s going to be coming up for renewal. What I say to people is on October 18th – and this is what the Secretary has reiterated – do we want Russia selling weapons to Iran? Do we want China selling – do we want anyone providing and/or selling weapons to Iran once this arms embargo – if we do not extend this embargo?

I’m stressing that Russia and China need to join a global consensus on Iran’s conduct. This is about the people – not only the people of Iran, but the people in the Middle East. We have to think about the unintended consequences and ramifications. This is an absolute imperative that we exercise all of our options to make certain that this UN arms embargo is extended.

MS ORTAGUS: Great, thanks. Okay. I think we have —

AMBASSADOR CRAFT: Do you want me to — I think also, just because I owe to this Edith about the snapbacks, I think that I really encourage everybody to be able to read this 2231 which makes clear that the U.S. retains the right to initiate a snapback renewal for the arms embargo. Thanks, Edith.

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QUESTION: Hi, Ambassador. Thanks for doing this. Hope you’re doing well. Just a follow-up to Edith’s question, just to be a little more sort of direct: When are you planning to circulate the draft resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran?

And on the World Health Organization, when does that decision take effect to withdraw? There was a resolution, I think in like 1948 – not a resolution, a – or Congress – something to do with Congress saying that they would give one year notice and pay up what they owe. So I just wanted to find out when that’s happening. Thanks.

AMBASSADOR CRAFT: You’re welcome. It’s good to hear from you. As far as going to your first question about the arms embargo, we have shared a draft resolution – the arms embargo resolution with the UK, France, Germany, I believe Estonia, and Russia. So pretty soon we’ll be sharing the full 15, but we are trying to really work very carefully, very thoroughly to prepare for this October 18th, and we’re speaking to different council members. Before I share any of the other members a draft, I want to make certain that everyone understands where – that we are committed to making certain that the UN Security Council does not allow this to expire in October. So they need to understand my firm, solid commitment to the people in Iran, to the people in the region, and I think they’ll understand better then once they’re able to see the draft embargo.

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