KT edit: Arms embargo on Iran must continue

Lifting sanctions will embolden the regime and allow it to support its proxies in various countries freely and fuel instability in the region

It was in 2007 when a majority of countries, including Iran's allies Russia and China, supported the UN Security Council resolution that imposed sanctions on Iran and put arms-related restrictions on the country. There was lack of trust in Tehran's leadership then which was aggressively pursuing its nuclear programme. Even now, more than a decade later, Iran has done little to gain the confidence of many countries, especially in the region. What's appalling is Iran has been supplying arms to its proxies in various countries despite the UN restrictions. Houthis in Yemen are ably supported by Iran. The rebel group is sustaining on war economy, and has been benefitting from wartime revenue streams and corruption. The Houthis have a stranglehold on the country, and with Iran's support, they are smothering the people, their aspirations, hope for a better future, and torpedoing efforts to bring peace.
The nuclear deal of 2015 agreed to lift Iran's arms embargo in five years, i.e. October 2020. Even with the embargo, Iran had been a regular offender. Lifting sanctions will embolden the regime and allow it to support its proxies in various countries freely and fuel instability in the region. Iran doesn't deserve getting a clean slate yet. The United Nations must extend its sanctions and Security Council members support it at that.