United Nations, August 15 (RHC)-- The United Nations Security Council has resoundingly rejected a U.S. bid to extend a global arms embargo on Iran, with Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing a summit of world leaders to avoid "confrontation" over a threat by Washington to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Tehran.
In the Security Council vote on Friday, Washington got support only from the Dominican Republic for its resolution to indefinitely extend the arms embargo on Iran, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption.
Eleven members on the 15-member body, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom. abstained.
Russia and China strongly opposed extending the 13-year-ban, which was due to expire on October 18 under a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and six world powers. They did not need to use their vetoes.
Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, announced the defeat of the resolution ahead of a very brief virtual council meeting to reveal the vote.