New Pressures in the U.S. for Action Against Iran Following Missile Tests

According to reports from the United States, Iran's recent missile tests, while the nuclear agreement has not yet been implemented, have increased pressures from Republican members of Congress to impose new measures against Tehran. The Washington Post reported on January 7 that even a group of Democratic lawmakers has joined the Republican supporters of sanctions. These new pressures come as Iran conducted new missile tests before the implementation of the nuclear agreement with six world powers. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a letter to the Minister of Defense, urged him to continue the missile development program with intensity and speed. The Revolutionary Guards also unveiled their second underground 'missile city.' Additionally, reports have emerged of missile launches by the Navy of the Revolutionary Guards near an American destroyer in the Persian Gulf, which Tehran has labeled as 'psychological operations' and denied. Reports from the United States indicate that the House of Representatives has decided to vote on new measures against North Korea and Iran next week. North Korea recently announced it had conducted a new nuclear military test. According to Reuters, the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee has approved new measures for a vote in the coming week, which will be presented under the title 'Action to Monitor Iran's Financial Support for Terrorism.' Reuters quotes Republican representatives stating that these measures aim to keep U.S. officials committed to not easing sanctions related to the missile program or 'Iran's support for terrorism.' Critics say this new action is another Republican effort against the 'JCPOA.' Recent reports come as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced on January 7 that if things go well, the Iranian nuclear agreement will likely be implemented in a few days. The Washington Post quotes Greg Tilman, a member of the U.S. Arms Control Organization, stating it is unclear why Iran conducted its missile tests shortly before the implementation of the 'JCPOA.' According to Mr. Tilman, if Tehran had conducted its missile tests after the implementation of the nuclear agreement, both Iran and most countries in the international community could argue that this action does not violate the agreement, as the missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads. The U.S. State Department emphasized last Tuesday that Iran has 'violated' UN Security Council resolutions with the test of the 'Emad' missile. The U.S. government stated that discussions with other government organizations in the country to impose new sanctions against Iran 'are continuing vigorously.' New pressures on Iran come as relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and its allies have also experienced new tensions following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, and the attack on Saudi diplomatic sites in Iran. Riyadh was among the critics of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers.