Tehran Times - A Chinese diplomat at the United Nations, speaking on condition of anonymity, has told Reuters that the United States� attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran lacks legal basis and will undermine efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.

The diplomat added that there is �no chance� the U.S. text will be adopted.

A European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said, �This U.S. administration�s goal is to terminate the Iran nuclear deal.�

Richard Gowan, UN director for conflict prevention advocacy body the International Crisis Group, said there was �zero chance� the U.S. attempt to extend the arms embargo would be adopted and that it was �a ploy to get to snapback.�

�Everyone at the UN understands that this resolution is just the curtain-raiser for a much bigger fight over the Iranian nuclear deal,� said Gowan.

�It�s highly likely ... a number of countries will be saying they have no intention of implementing further sanctions until the UN Security Council decides whether or not snapback has been carried out legally,� said a senior council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

�I don�t see how the council can decide that given the divisions that will be within it,� the diplomat said. �I don�t see any rush to re-establish sanctions regimes therefore around the world.�

The UN Security Council is preparing to vote this week on a U.S. proposal to extend an arms embargo on Iran, a move that some diplomats say is bound to fail and put the fate of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers further at risk.

Russia and China, allies of Iran, have long-signaled opposition to the U.S. measure.

The embargo is due to expire in October under a 2015 deal among Iran, Russia, China, Germany, Britain, France, and the United States.

Even though U.S. President Donald Trump�s administration quit the accord in 2018, Washington has threatened to use a provision in the agreement to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran if the Security Council does not extend the arms embargo indefinitely.