A picture of Iranian-made Martyr Abu Mahdi cruise missile

China has lauded the expiration of the UN Security Council (UNSC) arms embargo and travel restrictions against Iran, saying the development, which was stipulated in the Council’s Resolution 2231, should be faithfully implemented.

On October 18, arms transfer restrictions & travel bans on Iran expires, marking the completion of the 1st phase of implementation of UNSCR 2231, tweeted China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna on Tuesday, referring to the resolution that endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

This arrangement, clearly stipulated in the UNSC resolution, should be faithfully implemented, it added.

The mission noted that Beijing stands committed to the JCPOA and will work with all parties to continue maintaining the steady follow-up implementation of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, in a joint endeavor to push forward the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

2/2 China 🇨🇳 remains committed to the #JCPOA, and will work w/ all parties to continue maintaining the steady follow-up implementation of the JCPOA & UNSCR 2231, in a joint endeavor to push forward the political & diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

- Permanent Mission of China in Vienna (@ChinaMissionVie) October 20, 2020
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian described the lifting of the embargo as an important moment in the implementation process of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue and Resolution 2231.

Zhao noted that the development reflects the common position of the international community to uphold multilateralism and the authority of the UN Security Council, and to safeguard the existing achievements on the Iranian nuclear issue and the effectiveness of the JCPOA.

Under the Iran nuclear deal, it was agreed eventually that the UN arms embargo on the country would be lifted five years after the Adoption Day of the JCPOA on October 17, 2015.

This came to an end on October 18, 2020, which prompted Iran to issue an official statement declaring the termination of the arms embargo.

The US government, under President Donald Trump, suffered a humiliating defeat on August 14 as it failed to renew the arms embargo through a resolution at the UN Security Council.

Russia and China voted against the motion, and the remaining 11 Council members, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, abstained. Only the Dominican Republic voted in favor of the draft.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reacted to the lifting of the Iran arms ban, saying Washington will impose sanctions on any individuals and entities that get engaged in arms transfer to and from Iran.

Arms sales to Iran would violate UN resolutions, Pompeo claimed on Sunday, adding, The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional arms to or from Iran.

He also warned that every nation that seeks peace and stability in the Middle East should refrain from any arms transactions with Iran.