What new UN Iran sanctions allow: Air defense systems

World Tribune ^ | 6/10/2010 | World Tribune

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

On June 9, the United Nations Security Council voted to approve sanctions that target Iran's defense and nuclear industry. But the Security Council resolution does not list defensive weapons, such as air defense systems, as part of the UN ban on Tehran.Specifically, the sanctions do not block Iran's efforts to acquire the S-300PMU1 air defense system from Russia. "This resolution will put in place the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government, and it sends an unmistakable message about the international community's commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons," U.S. President Barack Obama said.

Officials said UN members would be banned from selling such heavy weapons as main battle tanks, combat aircraft and ballistic missiles to Teheran's military.

Earlier, officials acknowledged that Obama agreed not to oppose Russian plans to deliver the S-300 to Iran in exchange for the Kremlin's support for the resolution. Turkey was the only NATO member to vote against the resolution.

"Eight items have been added to the list of armaments liable for sanctions," Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the Russian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said. "But there are no defensive systems, such as S-300 missiles, on the list."

Much of the resolution reiterated previous declarations by the UN, including a ban on Iranian uranium enrichment and reprocessing. The Security Council, however, updated the list of dual-use items prohibited for export to Teheran.

"I don't think sanctions had a great history of being effective," Paul Burke, a leading security analyst and managing director Britain's Middle East Security told the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi.

A White House statement said the sanctions ban the sale of conventional weapons and ballistic missiles to Iran.

[DemforBush]

“Officials said UN members would be banned from selling such heavy weapons as main battle tanks, combat aircraft and ballistic missiles to Teheran’s military...But there are no defensive systems, such as S-300 missiles, on the list.”

The irony here being that the S-300 probably gives Iran a better hand to play against potential military threats to its nuke program than any of the things on the banned list.

[DrC]

“it sends an unmistakable message about the international community’s commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons”

No, Mr. President, the unmistakable message it sends is that Iran is free to load up on whatever defensive measures are required to repel the inevitable attack by Israel on its nuclear facilities. This exposes these sanctions as nothing more than a smokescreen to appear “tough” while actually capitulating in the face of an adversary who steadfastly refuses to blink. With “friends” like the U.S., why does Israel need enemies?