US ambassador says Iran is world No. 1 sponsor of terrorism
United Nations: The US ambassador to the United Nations called Iran the world's number one sponsor of terrorism on Thursday and warned Russia and China that they will become co-sponsors if they block a resolution to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran.
Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United States hopes Russia and China will not be co-sponsors of the number one state that sponsors terrorism and will see the importance of peace in the Middle East.
But she said the partnership between Russia and China, not only on backing Iran, is very clear. They're just going to be promoting chaos, conflict and mayhem outside their borders, so we have to just corner them.
Craft and Brian Hook, the top US envoy for Iran, briefed a group of reporters following Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement Wednesday that the United States will call for a Security Council vote next week on a US-drafted resolution to extend indefinitely the arms embargo that is due to expire Oct. 18.
Hook announced hours later he is stepping down from the post.
The foreign ministers of Russia and China in separate letters to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council last month were sharply critical of the US effort, and gave every indication they would veto the resolution if it gets the minimum nine yes votes in the 15-member council, which appears unlikely.
If the vote fails, Pompeo suggested the US would invoke the snapback mechanism that would restore all UN sanctions on Iran.
Snapback was envisioned in the 2015 nuclear deal in the event Iran was proven to be in violation of the accord, under which it received billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the Trump administration of unleashing a politically motivated campaign against Iran and called for universal condemnation of the US attempt to impose a permanent arms embargo on the Islamic Republic.
He said President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers and now has no legal right to try to use the UN resolution endorsing the deal to indefinitely continue the embargo.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the arms embargo should be lifted Oct. 18.
He also referred to the snapback provision, saying that since the US is no longer a party to the nuclear deal it has no right to demand the Security Council to activate the rapid reinstatement of sanctions mechanism.
The vote on the US-drafted resolution, which could come as early as Monday, and its expected defeat will set the stage for a potential crisis at the Security Council amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the US determination to maintain the UN arms embargo.
The five remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany are determined to maintain it, and are very concerned that extending the arms embargo would lead to Iran's exit from the agreement and its speeded-up pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Hook, the US envoy, said Iran has not been cooperating with the UN nuclear agency for a year and there isn't some acceptable level of non-compliance that we will accept out of fear that they'll do something worse. That is by definition nuclear blackmail, he said.
We just don't follow that playbook. Hook said Iran has been able to move a lot of weapons in the dark" to proxies in the Middle East despite the arms embargo so imagine what they will be able to accomplish in broad daylight.
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Karnataka ex-MLA, a doctor, saves life of American co-passenger mid air
Bengaluru (PTI): A Karnataka ex-MLA, Anjali Nimbalkar, a doctor by profession, has saved the life of an American woman passenger, who suffered a medical emergency mid-air during a Goa–New Delhi flight, official sources said on Sunday.
The incident happened when Nimbalkar, AICC secretary co-incharge of Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, was travelling to Delhi to attend the "Vote Chori" rally organised by Congress at Ramleela Maidan on Sunday, they added.
Nimbalkar performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and revived the co-passenger, who complained of uneasiness and shivering, fainted and lost her pulse, they said.
Nimbalkar reportedly remained by the patient’s side for the entire duration of the flight, constantly paying attention to her medical needs and comforting her.
Soon after landing at Delhi, the unwell foreign passenger was shifted to a hospital by an ambulance, sources said, adding that Nimbalkar's timely action received praise from passengers and crew members.
Lauding Nimbalkar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a post on 'X' said, "Deeply moved and incredibly proud to hear about the remarkable presence of mind and compassion shown by former Khanapur MLA Dr Anjali Nimbalkar during a Goa–New Delhi flight. When an American woman suffered a medical emergency mid-air, Dr Anjali instantly rose to the occasion and administered timely CPR, saving a precious life."
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What makes this even more inspiring is that, despite having stepped away from her medical profession and being actively engaged in politics, the doctor within her responded without a second thought, he said, adding that "this selfless act reflects not just professional expertise, but a profound sense of humanity, service, and responsibility toward fellow beings."
"Whether in power or not, leaders like Dr Anjali Nimbalkar stand as shining examples of true public service—always ready to help, without expecting anything in return. Such individuals set a powerful standard for society and remind us of the true meaning of leadership," he further added.
Thanking the CM, Nimbalkar said, she has done her duty as a Doctor.
"It (is) also my job and duty as a doctor to serve in this capacity whenever required. Means a lot coming from you, who himself is an example of social commitment," she said in a post on 'X', replying to the CM.
