Netanyahu calls UN Security Council decision "scandalous"

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in August 2020

The UN Security Council's no to the extension of the arms embargo against Iran is met with incomprehension among Israel's political leaders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision on Twitter "scandalous".

Iran threatens the "peace of the region and the whole world" through "terrorism and aggression", said Netanyahu. Instead of opposing the arms trade with the regime, the Security Council supports it.

One wants to continue to cooperate with the USA in the future in order to proceed with "full force" against those who would threaten the peace.

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the decision would certainly lead to a worsening of the situation in the Middle East. The UN Security Council was "set up for the exact purpose of preventing regimes like the Iranian Ayatollahs from massively expanding their military capabilities," said Ashkenazi, according to his office. Iran will use the decision to "seize military and ideological control in the region".

The 15 member states of the Security Council refused to extend the embargo against Iran on Friday. Only the non-permanent member Dominican Republic supported the US push for an extension. Russia and China refused, the other eleven member states abstained.

bah / AP / dpa / Reuters