The U.S. to Bring Iran's New Missile Test Case to the Security Council

A U.S. official announced on Tuesday, March 9, that the United States is closely monitoring reports about ballistic missile tests by Iran and will respond appropriately through the United Nations Security Council if they are confirmed. Mark Toner, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated: "We are aware of this issue and are closely following reports regarding several ballistic missile tests by Iran." According to Reuters, he emphasized that the mentioned tests do not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) but that there are "strong indications" that the UN Security Council resolution has been violated. Mr. Toner said that if the reports about Iran's missile tests are confirmed, "we will raise this issue in the Security Council." The State Department spokesperson added: "This development shows why we need to work closely with our allies around the world to slow and limit Iran's missile program." He referred to the "serious review" of these tests and providing an "appropriate response," stating: "We are also implementing unilateral actions to counter the threats posed by Iran's missile program." The commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Tuesday the holding of the "Valayat Power Missile Exercise," stating: "This exercise, which is being conducted differently from similar exercises over the past few days with the launch of various long-range, medium-range, and short-range ballistic missiles in different regions of Islamic Iran, has entered its final phase since the early hours of today." According to ISNA news agency, Amir Ali Hajizadeh added: "In recent days, various ballistic missiles with ranges of 2000 km, 800 km, 500 km, and 300 km have been launched, and a diverse range of Iranian missiles have roared into action." Reuters also quoted a French diplomatic source who expressed concern about the new ballistic missile tests by Iran, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, stating that if confirmed, it would be a violation of the UN Security Council resolution. The unnamed source added: "We are reviewing this information. Iran's ballistic missile program is concerning. The design of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by Iran contradicts Security Council resolution 2231, which prohibits Iran from any activities in this area." This French official emphasized that it is still too early to discuss potential actions in response to the mentioned tests. According to resolution 2231, which was adopted in July this year to endorse the JCPOA between Iran and six world powers, Iran was asked to refrain from any activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads for eight years after the first day of the implementation of the JCPOA, including the use of technology related to these missiles. Meanwhile, Iranian officials claim that Iran's ballistic missiles are defensive in nature and do not have the capability to carry nuclear warheads, thus their test launches do not violate the mentioned resolution. The IRGC had also tested a missile named "Emad" in October this year, which drew responses from Western countries, especially the United States. A UN sanctions monitoring team assessed the Emad ballistic missile in December as being capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The United States added 11 individuals and entities to its sanctions list in connection with Iran's missile program just hours after announcing the start of the JCPOA and lifting international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program. However, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan announced on February 9 of this year the upgrade of the "Emad" ballistic missile, stating that the second version of this missile would be delivered to the IRGC in 2016. In this context, Firouzabadi: "We adhere to the two-thousand-kilometer range limitation of our missiles." Power: "The Security Council should not allow Iran to violate resolutions." Hassan Rouhani called for the production of various missiles with greater speed and seriousness. The U.S. sanctioned 11 Iranian individuals and companies in connection with the missile program. John Kerry: "If necessary, we will sanction Iran again." The final phase of the IRGC's missile exercise has begun.