Tehran's Reaction to Security Council Meeting on Iran's Missile Test

Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, reacted on Tuesday, December 4, to the Security Council meeting regarding Iran's recent missile test, stating that the Islamic Republic's missile program does not contradict "the Security Council resolution." On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting at the request of France and Britain to discuss Iran's medium-range ballistic missile test conducted on Saturday. The United States called for condemnation of this missile test by Iran. France and Britain believe that this missile test is inconsistent with Security Council Resolution 2231, which was issued in 2015 to endorse the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA between six world powers and Tehran. This resolution calls on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. In response to the Security Council meeting, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: "We see no contradiction in our missile defense program with any Security Council resolution, and if anyone makes such claims, they are either unfamiliar with Resolution 2231 or are merely trying to create an atmosphere and provoke sensitivity and tension against Iran, which in both cases, the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns this approach as unconstructive and ineffective." Bahram Qasemi further added: "There is no need to reiterate that the nature of Iran's missile program is purely deterrent and part of the country's unstoppable defense plans, and we certainly do not adjust our defense programs based on baseless concerns and unfounded and targeted insinuations from some countries far from the region." Meanwhile, European diplomats after the Security Council meeting stated that Iran's recent test is "inconsistent" with Resolution 2231. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the missile tested by Iran had the capability to carry a nuclear warhead and that this was a "violation" of Security Council Resolution 2231. Additionally, Karen Pierce, the British ambassador to the United Nations, described Iran's missile test as "part of the destabilizing actions of the Islamic Republic in the region." The British ambassador added that this missile test is "provocative" and inconsistent with Security Council Resolution 2231, posing a threat to this resolution. "Our support for the JCPOA in no way diminishes our concerns about Iran's destabilizing missile program, which must be halted." Karen van Oosterom, the Dutch ambassador to the United Nations, also considered the recent missile test to be inconsistent with the JCPOA. Francois Delattre, the French ambassador to the United Nations, expressed concern over Iran's missile test, deeming it "inconsistent" with Resolution 2231 and called for an immediate halt to any activities related to Iran's ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stated in a statement: "Iran's recent ballistic missile test is dangerous and concerning, but it was not surprising." Ms. Haley added: "The international community cannot turn a blind eye whenever Iran blatantly disregards Security Council resolutions." She called on the Security Council to condemn Iran's recent ballistic missile test, labeling it "dangerous and concerning" and a violation of the United Nations resolution. The U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, citing "violations of the spirit of this agreement," ballistic missile activities, and Tehran's negative role in the Middle East. Following this decision, Washington reinstated suspended sanctions against Iran in August and November. The other five members of this nuclear agreement, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China, have stated that they will support it as long as Tehran adheres to its commitments under the JCPOA.