Saudi and US officials called for an extension to the UN arms embargo on Iran, warning of catastrophic consequences for both regional and global security if the ban is lifted.
The arms embargo is set to expire in October but both Riyadh and Washington are working to extend the ban, as tensions between the Saudi Royal Family and their neighbour remain at boiling point.
Mohammed bin Salman has been unequivocal on his stance against Iran, this position was echoed by Adel Al Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs. The minister reiterated the accusation that Iran has funded and armed the Houthi insurgency in Yemen, which has led to a protracted war between the two nations costing hundreds of thousands of lives.
US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters that lifting the arms embargo would “embolden” Tehran and could trigger a regional arms race.
“This is not an outcome that the UN Security Council can accept,” Hook said at the news conference in Riyadh.
Saudi officials displayed remnants of intercepted missiles and drones at the conference, stating that the arms were supplied by Iran to Yemen’s Houthi rebels with the purpose of attacks against the Saudi Kingdom.
