U.S. confirms Iran tested nuclear-capable ballistic missile

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A new Iranian precision-guided ballistic missile is launched as it is tested at an undisclosed location October 11, 2015.  REUTERS/farsnews.com/Handout via Reuters
A new Iranian precision-guided ballistic missile is launched as it is tested at an undisclosed location October 11, 2015. REUTERS/farsnews.com/Handout via Reuters

The United States has confirmed that Iran tested a medium-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon, in “clear violation” of a United Nations Security Council ban on ballistic missile tests, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.

“The United States is deeply concerned about Iran’s recent ballistic missile launch,” the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said in a statement.

“After reviewing the available information, we can confirm that Iran launched on Oct. 10 a medium-range ballistic missile inherently capable of delivering a nuclear weapon,” she said. “This was a clear violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929.”

The United States is preparing a report on the incident for the Security Council’s IranSanctions Committee and will raise the matter directly with Security Council members “in the coming days,” Power said.

Council diplomats have told Reuters it was possible to sanction additional Iranian individuals or entities by adding them to an existing U.N. blacklist. However, they noted that Russia and China, which have opposed the sanctions on Iran’s missile program, might block any such moves.

“The Security Council prohibition on Iran’s ballistic missile activities, as well as the arms embargo, remain in place,” Power said. “We will continue to press the Security Council for an appropriate response to Iran’s disregard for its international obligations.”

Ballistic missile tests by Iran are banned under Security Council resolution 1929, which was adopted in 2010 and remains valid until a nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers goes into effect. Under that deal, reached on July 14, most sanctions on Iran will be lifted in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

The missile test is not a violation of the nuclear deal, which focuses on Iran’s atomic program, U.S. officials have said. Speaking to reporters in Washington, President Barack Obama acknowledged that the nuclear deal does not fully resolve all areas of dispute with Tehran.

“So we are going to have to continue to put pressure on them through the international community,” he said.

Once the deal takes effect, Iran will still be “called upon” to refrain from undertaking any work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons for a period of up to eight years, according to a Security Council resolution adopted in July.

Countries would be allowed to transfer missile technology and heavy weapons to Iran on a case-by-case basis with council approval.

However, in July a U.S. official called this provision meaningless and said the United States would veto any suggested transfer of ballistic missile technology to Iran.

On Sunday, the United States, the European Union and Iran are expected to announce a series of measures to comply with the nuclear deal that will take effect once the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency confirms Iranian compliance with terms of the agreement.

REUTERS

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One response to “U.S. confirms Iran tested nuclear-capable ballistic missile”

  1. nagy_michael2 Avatar
    nagy_michael2

    well that plays well into the Republicans and it seems like Iran instead of being smart and staying put. they choose to create more problems for themselves and more for Obama instead. well that also plays very well into Israeli hands and they will tell the world “we told you so”. Not saying that Iran didn’t have the right to do as Israel and other countries do. but hate to say also since Iran love to cause trouble it scares a lot of nations for them to have it. This test makes the Obama administration look like little kids playing against the Giant Iran. what a pity that many nations have developed such technology that could simply wipe out the entire world. all it takes one Nutcracker like Kim Jung who could careless about his people let alone others. Or if this was given to ISIS or some radical Palestinians groups.. i mean it’s not that hard to do..and it makes not wanting to think about it.

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