MANAMA: Bahrain and the US last night called upon the Security Council to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran, saying that failing to do so would allow Tehran to further arm its proxies and destabilise the Middle East.
“The embargo is an important tool to counter Iran’s proliferation of arms to proxies. It promotes greater regional stability and holds Iran accountable for its actions,” said a joint statement issued after talks between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, and US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook.
The arms curbs on Iran are due to expire in October under the terms of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
“We have seen what Iran is capable of in its attack on Saudi oil facilities in September 2019. If the international community fails to extend the embargo, the Kingdom of Bahrain and neighbouring partners will suffer the consequences of a destabilising arms race,” the statement said.
“The Security Council must uphold its responsibility to maintain international peace and security and extend the arms embargo on Iran.”
Mr Hook, who is also a senior adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, held discussions regarding Iran with Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and later addressed a joint Press conference.
Pompeo is to address the Security Council today on the expiration of the arms embargo.
At the Press conference, the two sides underscored the necessity of countering Iranian interference in the internal affairs of regional countries and stopping its direct support to Hizbollah terrorist groups, extremist militias and the Houthi group in Yemen.
Dr Al Zayani reaffirmed Bahrain’s support for the US efforts to address the repercussions of the Iranian nuclear file, including Iran’s continuation of its programme to develop ballistic missiles.
He noted that the GCC countries have always demanded that the Gulf region and the Middle East be made free of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.
Mr Hook praised His Majesty King Hamad’s vision on promoting and establishing values of tolerance and religious freedom in Bahrain.
He noted that the US added the Iranian-backed organisation of Saraya Al Ashtar to its terror list, responsible for a number of terrorist acts in Bahrain, as they carried out a bombing attack in 2014 that killed two policemen, and another one in 2017 which resulted in the death of a policeman.
During their meeting, Dr Al Zayani and Mr Hook reviewed the strategic partnership between the two countries.
They also discussed US efforts to maintain regional stability as well address the political and security challenges threatening global interests in the region.
The meeting was also attended by the ministry’s Under-Secretary for International Affairs Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, US Ambassador Justin Siberell and the delegation accompanying the US envoy.
Mr Hook was visiting Bahrain as part of his region tour. He met Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir in Riyadh in the morning after talks in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Aggressive
In Riyadh, the Saudi Foreign Minister told a joint Press conference with Mr Hook that “despite the embargo, Iran seeks to provide weapons to terrorist groups, so what will happen if the embargo is lifted? Iran will become more ferocious and aggressive”.
He said a shipment of Iranian weapons bound for the Houthis was seized as recently as Sunday.
Mr Hook said similar shipments were intercepted in February and last November.
The conference venue displayed weapons, including drones and missiles, that Saudi authorities said were used in cross-border Houthi attacks on Saudi cities.
“We urge the international community to extend the embargo on selling arms to Iran and on Iran’s ability to sell arms to the world,” Mr Jubeir said.
Washington withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
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