Iran and the US at a war of words over the Islamic Republic’s plan to conduct new missile tests

Tabnak – While ignoring the UNSC Resolution 2231 by withdrawing from the nuclear deal with Iran, the United States accuses Iran of breaching the resolution by continuing to conduct missile tests. The Islamic Republic reiterates that its missile program is not a part of the deal and the tests are not banned by the UN.

According to The New York Times, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran on Thursday against launching three spacecraft in the coming months, describing them as a cover for testing technology that is necessary to lob a warhead at the United States and other nations.

“The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime’s destructive policies place international stability and security at risk,” Pompeo said in a statement. “We advise the regime to reconsider these provocative launches and cease all activities related to ballistic missiles in order to avoid deeper economic and diplomatic isolation.”

That statement came in response to Iran’s announcement that it is being prepared to launch three satellites, while developing an array of other space-related technology. Pompeo cited the plans as an example of the Islamic Republic flouting the international consensus against Iran developing intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“This action includes launching [space-launch vehicles], which incorporate technology that is virtually identical to that used in ballistic missiles, including in intercontinental ballistic-missiles (ICBMs),” Pompeo said. "An ICBM with a range of 10,000km could reach the United States.”

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed Pompeo’s remarks, together with claims that Iran's launch of space rockets and missiles breaches a Security Council resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal. According to Zarif, Washington has already violated that UN document and thus cannot comment on it.

Zarif, said in a tweet hours after the US statement that "Iran's launch of space vehicles— & missile tests—are NOT in violation of Res 2231. The US is in material breach of same & as such it is in no position to lecture anyone on it."

The top Iranian diplomat was referring the Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the multilateral nuclear deal in defiance of international objections as well as the resolution, to which it itself had voted 'Yes.'

The US then re-imposed all the anti-Iran sanctions it had lifted under the deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with which Iran has fully complied as repeatedly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Resolution 2231 calls on Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.”

Tehran insists its missile tests and rocket launches do not breach any UN resolution because they are solely for defense purposes and not designed to carry nuclear warheads.