White House: We are examining details of Iran's recent missile test

The White House states that Iran has tested a ballistic missile and the United States is aware of this test and is examining the details of 'this test.' According to a report on Monday, January 30, by the Associated Press, Sean Spicer, the press secretary for the U.S. government, mentioned that the U.S. still does not know the 'exact nature' of this test but expects to obtain more information later. Reuters also reported on Monday, citing an unnamed U.S. official, that Iran launched a medium-range missile on Sunday, January 29, which exploded after traveling approximately one thousand kilometers. This U.S. official stated that the test was conducted near Semnan. He added that the last time this type of missile was tested was in July 2016. Fox News also reported, citing senior U.S. military officials, that Iran tested the 'Khorramshahr long-range missile' on Sunday in Semnan. It is still unclear whether this missile test, if confirmed, violates United Nations Security Council resolutions. Iranian officials and media have not yet confirmed such a missile test, but Hossein Dehghan, Iran's defense minister, announced on September 25 that the latest long-range missile named 'Khorramshahr' would be produced and unveiled this year. According to Tasnim News Agency, Dehghan stated that 'by the end of this year, we will bring three fundamental products in the missile field that will significantly increase our superiority and defensive power.' The Iranian defense minister mentioned that 'today, long-range missiles with accuracies below 10 meters can target hostile objectives,' adding: 'The Ghadir missile, solid-fuel long-range missile, Sajil missile, solid-fuel long-range missile with high precision, and the Khorramshahr missile with high precision and long range will hopefully be among the achievements that will be available this year and in the near future.' In response to the news of 'Iran's missile test,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that this act by Iran is once again a 'flagrant violation of the Security Council resolution.' According to Israeli media, Netanyahu added that 'I will soon meet with President Donald Trump in Washington and will raise the need to renew sanctions against Iran.' On the evening of Monday, January 30, Netanyahu stated in a message regarding this issue that during his meeting with Trump, 'I will discuss sanctions against ballistic missiles, sanctions against terrorism, and the necessity of addressing all aspects of this failed nuclear agreement.' Netanyahu referred to the 'failed nuclear agreement' as the JCPOA, the nuclear deal made last year between Iran and six world powers. According to Netanyahu, 'the new missile test' by Iran 'concerns not only Israel and the U.S. but many countries in the region.' The Israeli Prime Minister added that 'it is natural for us to pursue this issue because Iran's aggression cannot go unanswered.' Security Council Resolution 2231, which was adopted on July 20, 2015, to endorse the JCPOA, invalidated all previous sanctions against Iran and requested that Iran refrain from testing ballistic missiles for eight years. According to reports, this is the second time Iran has conducted a ballistic missile test in the past 18 months, but the first test during Donald Trump's presidency. Former U.S. President Barack Obama referred to the previous test of the IRGC's long-range missiles as a 'violation of the spirit of the JCPOA' and stated that despite all efforts by the U.S. for the practical success of the JCPOA, when Iran violates the 'spirit of the agreement,' global companies and banks are afraid to deal with Iran. Iran claims that Resolution 2231 calls for refraining from testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and that Iran does not possess such missiles. Meanwhile, the White House confirmed on Monday, January 30, that Donald Trump's meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu will take place on February 15 (February 27). According to reports, Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, stated that 'Israel has no better friend than Trump, and Netanyahu has appreciated the President's position on Israel.' Ten days ago, Netanyahu, in a video message to the people of Iran, stated that on the eve of his meeting with Donald Trump, he wanted to speak directly to the Iranian people regarding 'thoughts he has about Iran.' In that message, Netanyahu said that despite 'a hostile regime that constantly speaks of destroying Israel, the Iranian people are warm-hearted... and Israel has always distinguished the Iranian people from the aggressive regime ruling Iran.' In this context, the proposal for 'non-nuclear sanctions against Iran' has once again been initiated in the U.S. Senate.