The United States on Monday insisted that Iran’s test-firing of two ballistic missiles last week was in defiance of a UN resolution, but Russia said the launches were not a violation.

At issue is a Security Council resolution adopted after the Iran nuclear deal was signed last year calling for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

US Ambassador Samantha Power, who raised the issue at a council meeting on Monday, said the ballistic missiles “were designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons” and called the launches “dangerous, destabilising, and provocative”.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin retorted that a “call” is not a ban and Moscow has no information that the missiles could carry nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign minister used a meeting with his Australian counterpart on Tuesday to reject the US argument that the test-firing violated a UN resolution.


Mohammad Javad Zarif had a detailed conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop about legal and technical issues surrounding Iran’s test-firing of two ballistic missiles.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called the tests a violation of UN resolutions that “could invite additional sanctions”.

At issue is the Security Council resolution adopted after the Iranian nuclear deal was signed last year, calling for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

Zarif said that Iran had not violated resolution 2231, but that the tests may have violated the resolution it superseded, 1929, which used different language.

“First of all, it doesn’t use obligatory terms that are used in the Security Council, so Iran is not obliged by 2231 — it calls upon Iran,” Zarif told reporters at Australia’s Parliament House.

“Secondly, it creates a narrower definition of the missiles. That is, missiles that are designed to be capable — not capable — designed to be capable of carrying nuclear war heads,” he added.

Bishop did not express an opinion on whether the tests had breached resolution 2231.

“Having heard the foreign minister’s explanation, it is Australia’s position that should the UN Security Council wish to investigate this matter, then that would be the proper legal process for it to do so,” Bishop said.

Power said that the missile tests merit a response from the Security Council, but that Russia’s contention that the launches did not violate resolution 2231 all but rule out any council action.

Last Wednesday’s missile test was aimed at demonstrating that Iran will push ahead with its ballistic programme after scaling back its nuclear programme under the deal reached last year with the US and other world powers.




COUTESY: GULF NEWS