UN Security Council to Inspect Remnants of 'Iran-Made Missile'

Diplomats at the United Nations have reported that members of the Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect the remnants of a missile allegedly provided by the Iranian government to the Houthis in Yemen, as well as to meet with officials at the White House. According to AFP, it is expected that the ambassadors of the Security Council member countries will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is calling for international action against the Iranian government. Last month, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, presented missile remnants as 'undeniable evidence' supporting the claim that a missile fired by the Houthis at Saudi Arabia in November was made in Iran. A recent Security Council report states that Iran has effectively nullified the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to prevent missile transfers to the Houthi rebels, reinforcing U.S. claims in this regard. Nikki Haley has asked other Security Council members to inspect the missile remnants, which are stored in a military warehouse in Washington. Ms. Haley stated at a press conference last month, 'The evidence is undeniable. This weapon could easily have been labeled 'made in Iran'.' The evidence held in Washington includes not only the body of a missile but also components from an anti-tank missile and drones. AFP reminds that Iran has strongly denied arming the Houthi rebels in Yemen and last month accused Nikki Haley of presenting 'fabricated evidence' to show that the missile fired at Riyadh airport on November 4 was made in Iran. The U.S. ambassador to the Security Council intends to persuade other members of the body to take action against Iran, including sanctions, but such a policy is likely to face opposition from the Russian government, which has good relations with Iran. In another report released last month, it was stated that UN officials tested the missile remnants and concluded that the source or place of manufacture is the same, but they could not definitively conclude that the production location is Iran. This will be the second time a senior UN delegation meets with Donald Trump. Mr. Trump met with UN representatives at a luncheon in April last year. Relations between the United Nations and the Trump administration have soured due to the U.S. government's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Mr. Trump's threats to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran, and the reduction of U.S. financial aid to the UN. The UN Security Council opposed Mr. Trump's decision on Jerusalem with 14 votes in favor and one against, and the U.S. was only able to prevent the issuance of a resolution condemning this decision by resorting to its veto power in the body. The UN General Assembly also approved the same Security Council resolution with 129 votes in favor, 9 against, and 35 abstentions.