Reuters cites diplomats: Iran cannot be sanctioned for missile tests

Some diplomats from the United Nations Security Council say that the body cannot legally punish Iran for its recent missile tests, but can only hold the Islamic Republic accountable. In a report published by Reuters on Thursday, March 17, they stated that the possibility of punishing Iran for these tests is weak, as the ambiguous language of the Security Council resolution regarding Iran allows for alternative interpretations. International sanctions against Iran were recently lifted following the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers and the European Union. However, following Iran's recent missile tests, the question arose as to whether Tehran violated the nuclear agreement, a question to which the European Union responded negatively. Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, emphasized that these tests do not constitute a violation of the nuclear agreement, although Tehran's actions could escalate tensions in the region. Additionally, a consultative meeting of the Security Council on this matter ended without results, and at that time, the Russian representative in the organization stated that it was agreed that this action does not violate the UN resolution. The UN resolution calls on Iran to refrain from activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads for eight years. Now, Reuters points out that global powers have agreed that this request is not legally binding and cannot be used to classify Iran under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, allowing for sanctions or military action against it. According to Vitaly Churkin, the Russian representative to the UN, 'a request' is different from 'a prohibition,' and therefore, legally, you cannot violate a request; you can either comply with it or ignore it. Reuters, citing unnamed diplomats, reported that the United States agreed to soften the language of the Security Council resolution regarding Iran's ballistic missiles mainly due to pressure from Russia and China. Nevertheless, Washington has promised to seek a solution for the Security Council to take action regarding Iran's recent missile tests. Previously, Samantha Power, the US representative at the Security Council, stated that these missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads and therefore the Security Council should respond to them. However, Iranian officials, including Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, emphasized that these missiles were not tested for the purpose of carrying nuclear warheads.