In August, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected a U.S.-backed resolution that sought to extend an international arms embargo on Iran. While in place, the embargo attempted to prevent Tehran from buying and selling conventional weapons, protecting stability in the Middle East, and hindering Iran’s ongoing campaign of terror in the region. The UNSC’s latest decision, however, gives Iran the green light to purchase and sell weapons, continuing to put livelihoods at risk. The Persian nation will undoubtedly use these weapons to arm its proxies in the region, thus fomenting further conflict in an already unstable region.
Over the past several years, one of Iran’s principal foreign policy goals has been to expand its influence in the Middle East operating through its proxies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The notorious Persian nation infiltrates vulnerable and fragile countries to expand its influence and dictate leadership. Evidently, Iran’s involvement in other nations’ affairs is not intended to establish peace but aims to espouse greater instability, transforming the domestic landscape to benefit its own policies.
In Iraq, for example, Iran took advantage of its vulnerability during the peak of the Islamic State insurgency in 2014 to embed itself into the country’s internal affairs. Through Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia paramilitary organization that plays a critical role in the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), it has been able to obtain significant control over Iraq’s political, cultural, and economic institutions. With Iran’s support, Kataib Hezbollah has been able to establish an alternative state in Iraq, which controls its own territory, security forces, and social services operations. Leaked cables have also revealed that because of Kataib Hezbollah’s destructive activities, Iranian intelligence officers have been able to establish themselves in cabinet and military level leadership positions in Iraq.
Similarly, in Lebanon, Iran plays a fundamental role in financially supporting and arming Hezbollah, a Shiite political party and military group that has been a significant facet of the Lebanese government since 1992. Like in Iraq, Iran utilizes Hezbollah to enforce its geopolitical policies on Lebanon, including staunch opposition to Israel and the West. The designated terror organization holds a tight grip on most, if not all, of Lebanon’s institutions, leaving the Lebanese people struggling under poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Today, Hezbollah is Iran’s most powerful proxy, and as a result, Lebanon has been on the receiving end of many sanction regimes, which have crippled Lebanon’s already fragile economy.
Despite Iran’s ongoing campaign to instill terror and instability across the Middle East, the UNSC has surprisingly decided against renewing the arms embargo on the country. Although the UNSC seeks to combat terrorism and conflict, its decision reflects a disconnect between its priorities and the reality that Middle Eastern citizens face daily. In October 2019, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied during anti-government protests demanding the removal of Iranian influence. Similarly, in Lebanon, sentiment against Iran’s stranglehold and growing discontent sparked anti-government protests. Citizens have rallied, expressing their frustrations on the incompetent Iran-influenced regime, management of the COVID-19 crisis, corruption, unyielding poverty, rising debt, and inflation. Protesters in both Iraq and Lebanon have been met with force by Iran-backed groups.
Further, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Yemen is in the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than 24 million people, or 80% of the population, in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Iran’s ongoing campaign of terror is evident in this fragile nation, as it provides support to the Houthi militias, a Shiite group trying to overthrow the Sunni government. To protect Sunni elements in Yemen and keep Iran at bay, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two powerful Sunni Gulf nations, were also involved. Since then, the UAE has retreated while Saudi Arabia’s military remains in Yemen. With no end in sight, Yemen is at risk of collapsing, and the UNSC’s decision against renewing Iran’s arms embargo will further add fuel to the fire.
As the deal fades away, Iran may now freely purchase SU-30 attack aircraft and defensive S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia. It can also obtain and continue developing its nuclear weapons. Despite being forced to comply with the Iran nuclear deal, which sought to reduce Iran’s uranium stockpile to prevent it from developing a nuclear bomb, Iran violated the regulations, continuing to develop its nuclear weaponry. Indeed, Iran also circumvented the arms embargo and sanctions, trading arms and obtaining funds from other countries. As a result, the end of the arms embargo legalizes and will most certainly streamline weapons deals between Iran and its proxies in the Middle East, catalyzing a spike in terrorism and conflict.
The UNSC’s decision against renewing the arms embargo on Iran is a costly mistake. As Iran rallies, the Middle East and the world must brace for the consequences. The people of the Middle East deserve peace and stability, something that Western powers in the Middle East have been working towards. The UNSC must reconsider its decision, as it is putting people’s lives at risk.
