| Status of the embargo | Ongoing |
| Entity | State |
| Organisation(s) imposing embargo(es) | UN & EU |
| Restriction(s) | Conventional weapons |
| Exceptions | Yes, no prior notification or approval |
Iraq is currently under UN and EU arms embargoes.
UN
Iraq has been under UN arms embargo since August 1990 (Resolution 661 (1990)). In 2003, UN sanctions were eased to apply exclusively to non-governmental forces.
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The current sanctions regime, as detailed in Resolution 661 (1990) and amended by Resolution 1546 (2004), provides that all States shall prevent “the sale or supply (…) of weapons or any other military equipment” to Iraq (Resolution 661 (1990), para.3, c).
Exceptions
Not requiring any prior approval from or notification to the UN Sanctions Committee on Iraq :
- The supply or sale to Iraq of arms and related materiel “required by the Government of Iraq or the multinational force [established pursuant to Resolution 1511 (2003)] to serve the purposes of [Resolution 1546 (2004)”, (Resolution 1546 (2004), para.21)]. However, such an exception does not affect prohibitions imposed on the Iraqi government in the nuclear field and the obligation of destruction, under international supervision, of its arsenal of chemical or biological arsenal of weapons, its ballistic missiles with a range greater that 150 km, as provided in Resolution 687 (1991), paragraphs 8 and 12 and in Resolution 707 (1991), paragraph 3, subparagraph f) (Resolution 1546 (2004), para.22).
Others
The UN arms embargo is indefinite.
Iraq is also under an EU arms embargo that mirrors that of the UN.
EU
Iraq has been under EU arms embargo since August 1990 (Statement by the Community and its Member-States on the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq 90/297). Sanctions have been extended to date, however amended twice in 2003 to provide for exceptions and in 2004 to apply exclusively to non-governmental forces in the country, thereby reflecting the changes in the UN arms embargo.
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The current sanctions regime, as detailed in the updated versions of Common Position 2003/495/CFSP, prohibits:
- “the sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related material of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned, to Iraq” (Common Position 2003/495/CFSP, art.1, para.1).
Exceptions
However, the current sanctions regime provides for several exceptions requiring no prior approval from or notification to the organisation:
- “The sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materials required by the Government of Iraq or the multinational force established under the UN Resolution 1511 (2003) to serve the purposes of the UN Resolution 1546 (2004)” (Common Position 2003/495/CFSP, art.1, para.2). However, this exception does not affect the prohibitions or obligations of Member States related to items related to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 km, provided in UN Resolution 687 (1991), paragraphs 8 and 12 and UN Resolution 707 (1991), paragraph 3, subparagraph f (Common Position 2003/495/CFSP, art.1, para.2).
Others
The EU arms embargo is indefinite.
Iraq was also under UN arms embargo
Restrictions Diagram :
Conventional weapons