{"id":9752,"date":"2020-10-24T02:40:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-24T00:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/danwatch.dk\/arms-embargoes-are-pushing-iran-into-the-arms-of-putin-and-xi-jinping\/"},"modified":"2024-08-07T11:43:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T09:43:49","slug":"arms-embargoes-are-pushing-iran-into-the-arms-of-putin-and-xi-jinping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/danwatch.dk\/en\/arms-embargoes-are-pushing-iran-into-the-arms-of-putin-and-xi-jinping\/","title":{"rendered":"Arms embargoes are pushing Iran into the arms of Putin and Xi Jinping"},"content":{"rendered":"

State-of-the-art fighter jets, modern tanks and the best air defense system in the world.<\/p>\n

These are some of the sophisticated weapon systems on Irans wish list when given the opportunity to trade more freely in the global arms market.<\/p>\n

For thirteen years, a UN embargo has prevented Iran from buying major arms and sophisticated military equipment but on the 18th of October 2020 the embargo was lifted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the first time in decades, Iran now has the opportunity to buy everything from tanks to fighter jets, which especially Russia and China are ready to deliver.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Especially American experts have been alarmed by Irans ability to buy sophisticated weapons warning that it might spark a new arms race in the Middle East.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of these experts is Ilan Berman, vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council and a former adviser to several U.S. governments as well as the CIA.<\/p>\n

“Iran will have the opportunity to buy weapons systems and so-called dual-use equipment on the open market, which will trigger a new arms race in the Middle East. If Iran rearms the country’s opponents, especially Israel and Saudi Arabia will do the same to make sure they can defend themselves against a possible Iranian attack”, he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A number of European experts on Iran and Middle East security believe however that the risk of a significant Iranian rearmament is exaggerated.<\/p>\n

Both the EU and the US have arms embargoes in place that will prevent Iran from acquiring advanced weapons systems from Western arms manufacturers, they say. And in addition, Iran’s economic crisis will hamper the dream of a major shopping spree.<\/p>\n

\u201cLifting the UN embargo will give Iran an option to buy sophisticated weaponry from Russia and China but it will not allow Iran to shop freely on the international arms market in the foreseeable future\u201d,\u00a0 says Iran specialist Ellie Geranmayeh from the reputed think tank\u00a0 European Council on Foreign Relations (EFCR)<\/p>\n

She expects that Russia and China might sign some agreements on future deliveries of more sophisticated weapons to Iran, but abstain from delivering the equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither Russian nor Chinese state companies will dare being sanctioned by the US”, she says referring to the US embargo that includes so-called secondary sanctions against foreign companies selling arms to Iran.<\/p>\n

About this investigation<\/h2>\n

For the past thirteen years, Iran has been subject to a UN arms embargo, but on October 18th 2020 it was over. Danwatch and the Iranian exile media Zamaneh have been investigating who has been selling military equipment to Iran during the embargo and talked to experts about the possible outcome of lifting the embargo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\tTime line\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe UN arms embargo on Iran
\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n

Iran has been under a UN arms embargo for the last thirteen years. On October 18th 2020 the embargo was lifted, allowing Iran to resume the purchase of most major weapons systems on the market.<\/p>\n

\t\tThe UN Security Council imposes an arms embargo on Iran, which bans the export to and import from Iran of certain items and technology potentially related to nuclear weapons or delivery systems. Included in the ban are ballistic missile systems, space launch vehicles and sounding rockets, unmanned aerial vehicle systems, cruise missiles, target drones and reconnaissance drones capable of delivering at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least 300 km.
\n\t\tThe UN embargo is tightened to include an embargo on the export from Iran of all arms and related materials, thereby banning all states and groups from purchasing or receiving arms from Iran.
\n\t\tThe UN arms embargo is amended to prohibit the supply of major conventional weapons, battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large caliber artillery, combat aircrafts, attack helicopters, warships, certain missiles and missile launchers. The ban includes spare parts, assistance and maintenance of the same items.
\nNot included in the ban are some weapons including larger land based surface-to-air missile systems and most small arms and light weapons.
\n\t\tIran signs the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) also known as the nuclear agreement. The embargo is relaxed, allowing all member states to supply major conventional arms to Iran after receiving a case-by-case approval from the Security Council.
\n\t\tOn October 18th the UN embargo on Iran is lifted. Until 2023 all transfers of goods and technology that could contribute to the development of nuclear weapons must still be approved by UNSC on a case-by-case basis.
\n\t2006
\n\t2007
\n\t2010
\n\t2015
\n\t2020<\/p>\n

Friends of the past<\/b><\/h4>\n

An investigation into Iran’s arms procurement conducted by Danwatch and the Iranian exile media Zamaneh reveals that Russia and China have been the main suppliers of advanced military equipment to Iran during the UN arms embargo.<\/p>\n

Among the equipment that Russia has been supplying to the Islamic government of Iran are ground attack aircrafts, a sophisticated air defence system, surface-to-air missiles, short range air-to-air missiles and a mobile surface-to-air missile system.\u00a0<\/p>\n

OVERVIEW<\/p>\n

Major arms import to Iran from 2006 to 2019<\/h2>\n

Since 2006 a UN arms embargo has been in effect prohibiting member countries from selling most major arms to Iran. Russia, China and Belarussia has however been providing Iran with a number of weapons systems that were allowed according to the embargo.<\/p>\n

Hover the mouse over the cards to see more details<\/h6>\n
Click the cards to see more details<\/h6>\n

From Russia<\/h2>\n