7 Ways Blinken Exposes the Way Iran Tramples on UN Resolution 1701
Is Secretary of State Antony Blinken stupid, a liar, a political hack or all three?
Photo Credit: Niklas Jeromin
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been emasculating U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East with a nonstop diplomatic campaign launched on October 5, 2024, that seeks an immediate Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire without naming Iran as the prime political, financial and weapons supporter of the international terror organization.
Simply put, Blinken has been whitewashing Iran’s role as the preeminent cause of the hostilities that have mushroomed in the region since October 7, 2023. In fact, his milquetoast persona was reflected today in a State Department press release marking the 45th anniversary of the “takeover” of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. “We remain clear eyed about the threats posed by the Iranian regime and will continue to work with our partners and allies to hold it accountable,” said the State Department.
And now he has outsmarted himself by shining the spotlight on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in August 2006, as the basis for ending the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. Blinken and Vice President Kamela Harris place the ceasefire impasse squarely on the shoulders of Israel. If only the Israelis would immediately enter a ceasefire agreement with a terrorist organization funded by Iran and a massive drug trade.
In doing so, Blinken has inadvertently and unequivocally identified Iran as the gross violator of 1701!
Blinken Sweet Talks Key Arab Diplomats
Clear evidence of this can be found in the State Department readouts of Blinken’s October 5th phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani which make clear “the need for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
Blinken’s October 7 conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, during which he “reiterated the need for full implementation” of Resolution 1701, was the icing on the cake.
However, a close reading of the resolution’s text, which most commentators as well as Blinken accolades seemingly fail to do, makes abundantly clear that Iran has violated and continues to violate the dictates of the resolution.
Yet not a word of rebuke towards Iran from the self-aggrandizing Blinken.
7 Ways Iran Violates Resolution 1701
Here are the key provisions of Resolution 1701, which Blinken avoids in public comments, and the 7 reasons why Iran has violated, with impunity, the spirit and intent of the UN dictate:
· Paragraph 1 – “Calls for a full cessation of all hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks.”
· Paragraph 3 – “Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon (GOL) over all Lebanese territory in accordance with [two prior resolutions], and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the GOL and no authority other than that of the GOL.” [Editor’s Note: The Taif Accords (1989) are agreements to end the Lebanese civil war and extend GOL’s sovereignty in South Lebanon, which at the time was occupied by Israel.]
· Paragraph 5 – “Also reiterates its strong support … for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice of 23 March 1949.”
· Paragraph 8 – “Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:
- Security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line [international border] and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the GOL and of UNIFIL deployed in this area.”
- “Full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of [two prior resolutions], that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, to that … there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state.
- “No foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government.”
- “No sales or supply of arms and related material to Lebanon except as authorized by its government.”
· Paragraph 12 – “Authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council ….”
· Paragraph 14 – “Calls upon the GOL to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related material and requests UNIFIL … to assist the GOL at its request.”
· Paragraph 15 – “Decides further that all States shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft:
- “The sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, whether or not originating in their territories.
- “The provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed [above]”
Netanyahu’s ‘Main Point’
Faced with a deluge of calls for Israel, from friends and foes alike, to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 31 spoke to the issue.
According to Reuters, the prime minister stated:
· “Agreements, documents, proposals … are not the main point. The main point is our ability and determination to enforce security, thwart attacks on us, and act against arming of our enemies, as necessary and despite any pressure and constraints. This is the main point.”
To visualize what Netanyahu spoke about, look at this and this.
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