European Union: Iran's Missile Tests Are Not a Violation of the Agreement but Are Tension-Inducing

The European Union's representative for foreign policy states that Iran's recent missile tests do not violate the nuclear agreement, and the EU currently does not intend to impose sanctions on Tehran. However, she warned that these tests could escalate tensions in the region. According to a report by AFP, Federica Mogherini, the EU's senior representative for defense and foreign policy, made these comments after a meeting with the foreign ministers of the 28 member states. Mogherini emphasized that the EU has not considered any sanctions against Iran at this time. She also warned that the recent missile tests by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard could exacerbate tensions in the region, stating, 'We expect Iran to adhere to all its international obligations.' The EU representative noted that if the UN Security Council resolutions are violated, this issue should be discussed in that council, not necessarily in the EU. Mogherini further stated, 'In any case, what we all recognize is a fundamental problem that this issue can create in regional relations... at a time when the Middle East does not need more tensions, these [tests] can add to those tensions.' This senior EU representative is expected to visit Tehran soon. Prior to her, Iranian officials stated that the missile launches in Iran do not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nor the resolution issued by the UN Security Council in this regard. Following the nuclear agreement, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which calls on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran claims its missile tests are defensive in nature and that its military program is not aimed at producing or carrying nuclear warheads. The United States has brought the issue to the UN Security Council. The council's meeting on this matter has not yet yielded results. However, Washington had previously warned that it might take punitive actions either alone or with a group of its allies. As the EU has warned, Washington has also stated that the recent tests are 'provocative and destabilizing.' The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Tehran 'spends only a small fraction on defense equipment compared to other countries in the region.'