Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya PHOTO: By Tehran Times

Russia will counter any attempts of the US to renew sanctions against Iran within the UN, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told reporters on Thursday.

Iran Press/America: "Our position and not just ours is that we don't take it that they have the legal right or the reason to initiate this thing. Besides, there are provisions both to resolution and the plan which provide for steps on how to do it, they were not also exhausted. So of course we will challenge it," Itar Tass quoted the senior diplomat as saying.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to visit the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to inform the Security Council of Washington’s decision to renew anti-Iranian sanctions that are set to enter into force in 30 days. The US took this step after the US draft resolution on prolonging the arms embargo against Iran failed to gain enough votes at the UN Security Council on August 14, with the majority of countries abstaining, and Russia and China voting against the resolution.

In accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear deal, any member of the deal (Russia, the US, the UK, China, France, and Germany) can renew sanctions against Iran if it violates the conditions of the agreement. However, in 2018, the US pulled out of the deal.

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