Concerns of Influential Senate Committee Chairman Over Iran's Missile Program

Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated on Wednesday, April 11, that the lack of appropriate response from the United Nations Security Council regarding Iran's missile tests indicates that the assurances given by the Obama administration that sanctions would remain in place concerning this missile program were unfounded. The Republican senator, who has always opposed the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic, argues that the inadequate response from the UN Security Council to Iran and the continuation of ballistic missile tests by Iran demonstrate the baselessness of these assurances. Reuters reports that Corker's remarks came after the news agency published a report based on the interpretation of some diplomats who believe that Iran's missile tests do not violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Corker said in a Senate meeting, 'As many of us feared, Iran can now circumvent the restrictions imposed on its missile program without any fear of Security Council penalties.' According to Reuters, 'a large number' of American lawmakers have called for further sanctions against Iran's missile program. The news agency also reported that a group of experts from 15 Security Council member countries is set to discuss Iran's ballistic missiles on Friday and consider the possibility of issuing a statement condemning them. On April 11, Reuters reported that the United States, France, Britain, and Germany had jointly requested a response from the UN Security Council regarding Iran's missile tests, stating that these tests indicate Iran's disregard for the Security Council resolution. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, also announced on the same day, during a conference on Syrian refugees, that Iran's ballistic missile program has caused 'concern and fear' in the international community, and now world powers must determine whether this program requires further sanctions or not. In this context, a Revolutionary Guard official stated: 'We have designed a 2,000-kilometer missile for Israel.' Biden remarked: 'If Iran's missile test violates the JCPOA, we will act.' Kerry has 'discussed the new missile test with Zarif.' Araghchi stated: 'Our missiles have led world powers to negotiate with Iran.' Netanyahu has called for 'punishing Iran' for the missile test. Diplomats say: 'Iran cannot be sanctioned for the missile test.' Iran's response to the new sanctions: 'Our missile program does not violate resolutions.'