Iran, P5+1 Agree to Partially Lift Arms Embargo Against Tehran

Iran and the P5+1 group of international negotiators have agreed to partially lift arms embargo against Tehran, which will enable the country to supply defensive weapons to its allies in the region, a source close to the negotiations in Vienna said on Monday.

VIENNA (Sputnik) — The mechanism for lifting the arms embargo against Iran is the main obstacle for reaching a final nuclear deal, a diplomatic source close to the negotiations told Sputnik on Monday.

"The agreement will stipulate that the Iranians continue to provide defensive weapons to its regional allies to combat terrorism and extremism. And though it would be contrary to the UN Security Council resolutions, it will not violate the [comprehensive] agreement," the source told RIA Novosti.

The source did not specify how the violation of UN resolutions in relation to the arms embargo against Tehran would be legally provided for in the future nuclear deal with Iran.

In March 2007 the UN Security Council issued a resolution imposing an arms embargo on Tehran amid suspicions that the country was building nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program.

Lifting of an arms embargo has been one of the stumbling blocks in talks between Iran and the P5+1 group comprising Russia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

The P5+1 group is currently negotiating with Iran in Vienna in an attempt to reach a final deal ensuring a peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. The deadline was initially set for June 30, but has been postponed several times.