Saudi Arabia’s Khalid bin Salman: UN report shows Iran’s ‘dark vision’ for region

Saudi Arabia urges the international community to extend the UN Security Council arms embargo on Iran after the recent UN report showed Tehran’s “dark vision” for the region, said the Kingdom’s Vice Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday.

“The UN report confirming the Iranian regime’s involvement in sabotage attacks on the Kingdom illustrates the regime’s dark vision for the region, while countries in our region work to promote positive relations, and provide stability and security,” the Prince said on Twitter.

He added: “The Kingdom’s decision to request an independent UN investigation confirmed what we already knew about the Iranian regime. The international community must do its part in maintaining the arms embargo in order to end the crimes and hostility of this regime.”

The UNSC had discussed in a virtual meeting on Tuesday a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that determined that cruise missiles used in several attacks on oil facilities and an international airport in Saudi Arabia last year were of “Iranian origin.”

Later on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that “the UNSC’s discussion of the UN report that confirmed Iran’s involvement in the attack on the Kingdom’s oil facilities is a reminder for the international community to take a firm stance against the Iranian regime’s aggression and terror.”

He added: “The details and facts laid out in the UN report reinforce our support for a continued ban on arming the Iranian regime and confronting its developing nuclear and ballistic programs.”

The United States has been pushing to extend the arms embargo on Iran before it expires in October.

“Don’t just take it from the United States, listen to countries in the region… Countries in the Middle East – who are most exposed to Iran’s predations – are speaking with one voice: Extend the arms embargo,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the UNSC meeting.

“Iran is already violating the arms embargo even before its expiration date. Imagine if Iranian activity were sanctioned — authorized — by this group if the restrictions are lifted,” Pompeo added.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir and US Special Representative for Iran Brian hook said in a joint press conference on Monday that Riyadh and Washington were working together prevent Iran from exporting arms.

Source: alarabiya