US urges allies to maintain UN embargo on arms sales to Iran

Mike Pompeo opposes lifting embargo, which is due to end in October, citing risk to stability

A US attempt to destroy the Iran nuclear deal, reimpose sanctions and extend a UN embargo on arms sales to Iran risks a generational setback for the cause of multilateralism and international law", Iran's foreign minister has told the UN security council.

Russia's ambassador to the UN also said the latest US moves to isolate Tehran was like putting its knee to the neck of the Iranian people". Vassily Nebenzia described the policy as a maximum suffocation policy" and said the US's goal was to make Iran the scapegoat for an uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East.