Armed Forces Spokesman: We Will Definitely Continue Missile Tests

One day after U.S. Secretary of State's remarks about Iran's missile tests capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, stated that the Islamic Republic will "definitely continue" its missile tests. Mike Pompeo stated on Saturday, December 1, that Tehran recently tested a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. In a statement released by the U.S. State Department, he claimed that testing such a missile, which can target parts of Europe and the entire Middle East, violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Bahram Qasemi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, did not deny the test but stated that "no resolution in the Security Council prohibits Iran's missile program or missile tests." The senior spokesman for the Islamic Republic's armed forces also mentioned that "the testing of missiles and the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic is for defense and in line with our country's deterrence, and this will continue." Abolfazl Shekarchi added that "we will continue both testing and missile development," asserting that the Islamic Republic has "missile testing and development on its agenda and does not seek permission from any country in this regard." This military commander further stated that "this work will certainly develop, and we will not negotiate about it at all." The spokesman for the armed forces also warned "America and its allies" that "in the event of any strategic error in the region, they will receive such a heavy blow from the Islamic Republic that they will regret it forever." One of the reasons for Donald Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA was Iran's missile program. Meanwhile, Islamic Republic officials claim their missile development program is "defensive" and "non-negotiable." Iran's recent missile test has also drawn a reaction from Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Secretary, who called it "provocative." Hunt tweeted that Iran's medium-range ballistic missile test is "inconsistent with Resolution 2231" and is a provocative and threatening action. He added that "our support for the JCPOA does not lessen our concern about Iran's destabilizing missile activities." In addition to Britain, leaders from Germany and France have also expressed concern about Iran's missile program while affirming their commitment to the JCPOA. A few days before the U.S. State Department's statement, Sputnik news agency quoted Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, stating that estimates suggest Iran tested a medium-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and with a range of nearly 2,000 kilometers in January 2017, about 11 months ago. UN Security Council Resolution 2231, issued after the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement to endorse it, called on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.