Trump's Reaction to Iran's Satellite Launch

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, reacted on Thursday, January 17, to Iran's launch of a satellite launch vehicle, stating that he would not allow Iran to achieve intercontinental ballistic missile technology. During a ceremony announcing the new U.S. missile defense policy at the Pentagon, Trump called for a comprehensive review of the previous program to counter missile threats. He emphasized that the primary priority of the new U.S. plan is to ensure the safety of American citizens and called for the deployment of new and advanced missile tracking systems that can quickly identify any missile launched towards the U.S. Trump further added that instead of focusing on investing and spending money on current systems, there should be a focus on developing new technologies, stating that the world is changing and the U.S. will change faster than the rest of the world. In his speech, Trump referred to Iran's action of launching the "Payam" satellite launch vehicle, saying that just this past Tuesday, the Iranian government tested a satellite launch vehicle that failed. If it had succeeded, it could have provided sensitive information to Iran and could have been used to achieve intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, a capability that could even reach U.S. soil. We will not allow such a thing to happen. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that this launch once again shows that Iran is seeking advanced missile capabilities that threaten Europe and the Middle East. France condemned this action and called on Iran to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and to stop its new ballistic missile tests designed to carry nuclear warheads. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that Iran is lying about its program to send a scientific satellite into space, claiming that the purpose of the launch was to test a ballistic missile. Trump asserted that what has been accomplished with Iran since his presidency has been miraculous, ending the terrible and weak agreement with Iran. He stated that Iran today is very different from two years ago, and it will not be like it was in the past. He believes they want dialogue. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, the U.S. reinstated all sanctions against the Islamic Republic. However, Trump expressed hope that the U.S. would reach a new and 'fair' agreement with Iran. He has repeatedly emphasized that Iran will eventually be forced to negotiate a new agreement with the U.S. In contrast, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has expressed regret over previous negotiations with the U.S. and has banned negotiations with the U.S. Iran and the six world powers, including the U.S., reached a comprehensive agreement to resolve Tehran's nuclear program after two years of negotiations in July 2015, which not only suspended some of Iran's nuclear activities but also lifted many of the nuclear sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the UN Security Council against Tehran.