twitter.com/francediplo /  Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian (right)  with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif  June 29, 2017.

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke by phone on Monday with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif and expressed concern over the Islamic Republic’s “destabilizing activities” in the region.

“The minister also underscored our concern over Iran’s destabilizing activities and the consequences of the expiration of the UN embargo on conventional weapons, and expressed the E3’s determination to seek solutions that preserve regional security and stability”.

-Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs  Spokesperson   – Paris

FRANCE Concerned About Consequences of Expiration of UN Embargo on Iran Weapons 

Le Drian also reminded Tehran of “the staunch determination”  of the E3 (France, Germany and the United Kingdom) to preserve the Vienna agreement (JCPoA).  “In this regard, he reaffirmed our ongoing expectations of Iran and in particular, an end to the Iranian authorities’ violations of their commitments under the Vienna agreement and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) so that it is given the access it requests,”  Le Drian’s spokesperson said. Le Drian also told Zarif he was concerned about  the consequences of the expiration of the UN embargo on conventional weapons and expressed the E3’s determination to seek solutions that preserve regional security and stability.

UN Security Council President  Rejects U.S. Demand for “Snapback” Sanctions on Iran

United Nations Security Council chambers at UN World headquarters in New York

The UN in Tuesday rejected a bid by the Trump administration to reimpose “snapback” sanctions on Iran due to lack of consensus.  UN sanctions were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal.  The U.N. ambassador from Indonesia, which holds the council’s rotating presidency this month, announced the rejection in response to questions from Russia and China on the issue during a virtual meeting on the  Middle East.

“It is clear to me that there is one member which has a particular position on the issues, while there are significant numbers of members who have contesting views.  In my view there is no consensus in the council,” he continued. “Thus, the president is not in the position to take further action.“

-UN Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani

U.S. Ambassador  Craft Says Secrurity Council “Standing in the company of terrorists.”

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations attended meeting with Secretary of State Pompeo and the UN Secretary-General Aug. 20, 2020 to announce the US triggering snapback sanctions on Iran. 

“Iran has defied this Council’s arms embargo, fomenting conflict and murder throughout the world as it supplies weapons to proxy militias and terrorist groups. Let me just make it really, really clear: The Trump Administration has no fear in standing in limited company on this matter, in light of the unmistakable truth guiding our actions. I only regret that other members of this Council have lost their way and now find themselves standing in the company of terrorists.”

-Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations