Senior US Congressional Representative Responds to IRGC Missile Tests

The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States reacted on Wednesday to Iran's recent missile tests. Ed Royce, the Chairman, stated that "Iran has mocked President Obama's promise to confront this country's unlawful and dangerous behavior." Mr. Royce urged the US President not to "turn his back" and to "decisively enforce all sanctions related to Iran's missile program, human rights violations, and support for terrorism." Previously, Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and a frontrunner among Democratic candidates for the US presidential election, expressed concern over the IRGC's missile tests and called for new sanctions against Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon also stated in an interview with the country's radio that these tests indicate the continuation of Iran's "aggression" following the implementation of the nuclear agreement. Mr. Ya'alon added: "Unfortunately, there are some in the West who have been misled by the sweet words of certain Iranian leaders while others are busy providing equipment and weapons to armed terrorist groups." The Islamic Republic of Iran officially supports groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which many countries around the world consider terrorist organizations. The US government has also announced that it is reviewing reports about Iran's missile tests and will decide on an appropriate response. While the Iranian Foreign Ministry states that the IRGC's missile exercises do not contradict the nuclear agreement and "even UN Security Council Resolution 2231," the US State Department has said that Washington is examining whether these tests contradict the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) or not. Recently, the IRGC tested several medium-range missiles and officially announced that these missiles were made with the aim of striking Israel.