Exclusive; The United States Describes Iran's Missile Tests as a Serious Threat to Regional and International Stability

The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State reacted on Thursday to the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile test of 'Khyber' by stating to Voice of America: 'The development and proliferation of ballistic missiles by Iran is a serious threat to regional and international stability and a major challenge to non-proliferation of weapons.' According to Matthew Miller, the U.S. is using various tools, including sanctions, to counter the further advancement of the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program and its capabilities for missile proliferation and related technologies. He added: 'Despite the restrictions imposed on Iran's missile activities under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the Islamic Republic continues to seek a wide range of missile technologies from foreign suppliers and conducts ballistic missile tests contrary to this resolution.' Matthew Miller further stated regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities that a nuclear-armed Iran would likely behave in a more provocative manner, which is why the U.S. is committed to preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons. Prior to the U.S. State Department spokesperson's comments, France also condemned the long-range ballistic missile test of 'Khyber' and deemed it a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The U.S. State Department spokesperson also responded to comments made by Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, regarding 'indirect' message exchanges between the U.S. and Iran in recent weeks, stating: 'We do not respond to claims of diplomatic conversations or rumors about diplomatic talks, many of which have been false in the past and remain false.' According to Matthew Miller, the U.S. maintains the ability to communicate with Iran and convey its messages whenever it is in the interest of the United States. He further stated that the U.S. never elaborates on the content of messages or the means of their transmission but still believes that diplomacy is the best verifiable and sustainable way to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. The intensification of U.S. naval patrols to maintain the security of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the G7's concerns about the escalation of Iran's nuclear program and human rights violations, McCarthy's remarks in the Israeli parliament that the Islamic Republic is a factor of violence and instability in the region, Iran's 'intensive negotiations' with Russia and China for missile fuel, the emphasis of U.S. Congress members on a deterrent and decisive response to the Islamic Republic's actions, and the CENTCOM commander's statement that a nuclear Iran would 'change the Middle East overnight and forever' were also highlighted.