The United Nations Security Council rejected a proposal by the United States that wants an indefinite extension of an arms embargo on Iran.

UN and President of the council for August, Ambassador Dian Djani, made this known yesterday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s meeting on the issue.

Djani also disclosed that China and Russia, two veto power holders in the 15-member council, voted against the US-sponsored resolution, while 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, abstained as he said:

“Only two countries, the U.S. itself and the Dominican Republic, voted in favour.”

Note that the weapons ban is due to expire in October under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

In a statement after the meeting, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Zhang Jun explained that the result of the voting showed that “unilateralism receives no support and bullying will fail’’.

Explaining reasons for not voting, Germany said it abstained because it was clear from the beginning that the proposal would fail due to opposition from China and Russia while also noting that it is concerned about the forthcoming expiration of the ban, suggesting that more time was needed to find a common ground on the issue.

The  U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who reacted to the issue described the Security Council’s decision as “inexcusable’’, saying it had failed in its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. His words said:

“The United Nations Security Council is charged with the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. It failed today to uphold its fundamental mission set.

“It rejected a reasonable resolution to extend the 13-year old arms embargo on Iran and paved the way for the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell conventional weapons without specific UN restrictions in place for the first time in over a decade.

“The Security Council’s failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable.’’

In a statement released by Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, the president proposed a summit with the U.S. and other parties to the Iran nuclear deal to avoid further “confrontation and escalation