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April 19th, 2024 | 11:59 AM ET

Lifting the UN Weapons Embargoes

Posted: July 28th, 2015

As part of the Iran deal, international sanctions prohibiting Iran from purchasing and selling conventional arms and ballistic missile systems will be lifted in the next 5-8 years. The repercussions for global security are far-reaching, and the removal of these sanctions probably will help Iran upgrade its defense and offensive capabilities, benefit Russia and China, and possibly trigger a regional arms race.

1. Tehran will improve its defense capabilities, raising the cost of any future military action against Iran. Once the embargoes are lifted, the Iranian government will likely seek to acquire several advanced weapons technologies—such as the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile system, Chinese JF-17 and J-31 fighter jets, and Russian and Chinese cruise missiles, according to press accounts and statements by Russian government officials. The S-300 is particularly worrisome because it would shield Iran from an attack by countries without stealth fighter jets, such as Israel.

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Categorized as:International Middle East Reporting

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