Zarif: Satellite Launch and Missile Tests Do Not Violate Resolution 2231

Iran's Foreign Minister reacted to statements from his American counterpart, asserting that Tehran's plans for launching satellites into space and conducting missile tests do not violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Thursday, January 3, that it is the United States that has violated Resolution 2231 and therefore 'is not in a position to speak on this matter.' Resolution 2231 was issued following the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers in 2015, which ended nuclear sanctions against Iran but simultaneously obligated Iran to refrain from producing and testing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The U.S. has withdrawn from the nuclear agreement with Iran and is seeking another agreement that would also cover Iran's missile program and its role in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran on Thursday to abandon its ballistic and space missile launch program and to refrain from disrupting peace and stability in the region. Pompeo's remarks were seen as a reaction to statements from Iran's Deputy Defense Minister, who claimed that the Islamic Republic would launch three satellites into space in the coming month. Other Iranian military officials have also emphasized that the Islamic Republic will continue its missile tests. Meanwhile, European countries such as France, Britain, and Germany have also expressed concern about Iran's missile program. The U.S. Secretary of State stated, 'We advise the regime [Islamic Republic] to reconsider its provocative missile launches and to stop all ballistic missile-related activities to avoid further deep economic and diplomatic isolation.' He then emphasized that 'the United States does not intend to stand by and watch Iran's destructive policies put international stability and security at risk.' However, Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that the U.S. should also expect threats. In his tweet, he wrote, 'Threat begets threat, and respect begets respect.' The Iranian Foreign Minister then shared images of Resolutions 1929 and 2231, with the former marked as void and the latter confirmed. Resolution 1929 of the UN Security Council regarding Iran's nuclear program was adopted in 2010, imposing severe sanctions on Iran. This resolution was lifted five years later following the Vienna nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA. The U.S. government withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8 of this year and reinstated suspended sanctions against Tehran in August and November.