Rouhani Expresses Satisfaction Over Unproductive UN Security Council Meeting

Hassan Rouhani expressed satisfaction in response to the recent United Nations Security Council meeting that focused on Iran's recent missile tests, stating that he is glad the meeting ended without results. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, reported on Wednesday, March 16, the Iranian President's remarks, in which he said: "We are pleased that the extremists and warmongers who unjustly brought our missile testing to the UN and the Security Council returned disappointed." Previously, the United States had called for action from the UN Security Council regarding Iran's missile tests, but the advisory meeting held on Monday ultimately concluded without any results. Meanwhile, Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, emphasized that Iran's missile tests do not violate the Council's resolution. However, the U.S. claims that Moscow is seeking a legal justification to avoid confrontation with Iran. Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated that Iran's recent missile tests do not violate the nuclear agreement, and the EU currently does not intend to impose sanctions on Tehran, but warned that these tests escalate tensions in the region. In this context, the Iranian President, who spoke to reporters on Wednesday, reacted to these developments by stating: "The world responded negatively to them and declared that Iran's activities are purely defensive and aimed at safeguarding and protecting the country." He added: "We have no intention of invading any country, especially our neighbors, with our missiles. Our weapons are solely for the defense of our nation, a country that has been subjected to foreign aggression for eight years. Therefore, our current situation is such that we are preparing for better relations with the world." The recent missile tests were conducted by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during which two ballistic missiles named Qadr H and Qadr F were launched from the eastern Alborz heights. IRGC officials have stated that Iran designed these missiles, which have a range of 2,000 kilometers, for Israel. However, Iranian government officials emphasize that these tests do not contradict the nuclear agreement since the tested missiles are not capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Following the nuclear agreement, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which called on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. In this context, the EU stated: Iran's missile tests do not violate the agreement but are provocative. Iraqchi: Iran's missile capability led to the acceptance of the JCPOA. Tel Aviv's reaction to Iran's missiles: continuing hostile policy against Israel. Netanyahu's request for "punishing Iran" for the missile test. Warnings from France and the U.S.: Tehran may face new sanctions.