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US, Allies Fear Lifting of Arms Embargo Could Embolden Iran, Its Proxies

Namo Abdulla

   The upcoming expiration of an international arms embargo on Iran has
   left the United States and its allies in the Middle East uneasy,
   fearing that the seemingly unavoidable outcome in October could lead to
   a proliferation of weapons in the hands of Iran and its proxy groups
   across the region.

   Even though an economically crippled Iran may not have extra cash to
   purchase sophisticated weapons, that can change if its economy revives
   or if the oil-rich country finds a supplier willing to sell arms for
   oil after the embargo, some experts say.

   "The U.N. Security Council will not vote to extend the embargo,"
   Barbara Slavin, director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the
   Atlantic Council, said. "But it's possible the U.S. can convince Russia
   and China to hold off on any major arms sales to Iran."

   The level of concern appears to have increased with recent reports
   about a 25-year bilateral, multibillion-dollar trade deal being
   negotiated between Iran and China in defiance of the U.S. sanctions.

   U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday in a news briefing
   that China would sell a weapons system to Iran after the October
   deadline.

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