Defying the Trump Administration’s isolation in the Security Council, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pictured) has blustered that UN sanctions on Iran will resume September 20.

Pompeo announced in a tweet that the US has triggered a 30-day process for “snapback” sanctions, claiming that Iran has violated the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia).

He declared, “After the Security Council failed to uphold its mission to maintain international peace and security, these sanctions will snap back at midnight GMT on September 20”.

In fact, the US has little prospect of pushing the Security Council into accepting sanctions, since the Trump Administration withdrew from the nuclear deal in May 2018, six months before imposing comprehensive, unilateral sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Last week, after the US announced its intentions, 13 of 15 Council members — including American allies such as the UK, France, Germany, and Belgium — wrote letters expressing opposition and pointing out that the Administration has no standing to invoke the sanctions.

On Tuesday, Indonesia, which currently holds the Council Presidency, said no further action will be taken to impose snapback measures.

See US in Self-Isolation After Failure to Reimpose UN Sanctions on Iran

Pompeo insisted on Twitter, in defiance of UN and legal experts, “If any member of the UN Security Council introduces a resolution to continue sanctions relief, the U.S. will oppose it. If no resolution is introduced, the sanctions on Iran will still return on September 20.”

Tehran Chides US “Alternate Universe”

Iran immediately scoffed at Pompeo’s assertions.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh countered on Twitter, referring to Pompeo’s previous position as CIA Director:

13 members, including President of UNSC, have declared that America has NO legal standing in the first place to recourse to 2231, as it’s not a JCPOA [nuclear deal] participant.

The clock is ticking just in Pompeo’s parallel alternate universe! This happens when an ex-spymaster leads US diplomacy.

The Trump Administration’s months-long effort for UN backing of its “maximum pressure” on Iran has all but collapsed in recent weeks. In mid-August, its resolution to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic Republic, due to expire in October, was supported only by the Dominican Republic. Russia and China voted No, and the 11 other Council members abstained.

See Trump Administration Humiliated in UN Vote on Iran Arms Embargo