fbpx

News

Iran’s army chief warns ballistic missiles are a threat towards Israel

[ssba]

The Chief of Staff of Iran’s army has defiantly said that Tehran will strengthen its ballistic missile programme in the face of United Nations (UN) resolutions, describing the missiles as a threat to Israel.

Iran has conducted two ballistic missile tests since Tehran signed a long-term nuclear agreement with the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) in July. Related nuclear sanctions on Iran were lifted last month. In October, Iran’s Defence Minister Hossein Dehgan confirmed that the Emad (pillar) precision-guided surface to surface missile had been successfully tested. The rocket has a reported range of just over 1,000 miles and can deliver a 750kg payload to within 500 metres of a target. In November, Iran tested the Ghadr-110, which has a range of 1,200 miles, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Such tests are a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1929, passed in 2010, which bans Iran from any ballistic missile development capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology. It is also a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, passed the day after July’s accord was signed, which compels Iran to refrain from any work on ballistic missiles for eight years.

Undeterred by the condemnation, Iran’s military Chief of Staff Ataollah Salehi told the Fars news agency yesterday, “Iran’s missile capability and its missile program will become stronger. We do not pay attention and do not implement resolutions against Iran,” stressing that such development “is not a violation of the nuclear deal.” Salehi added that “Our missile programme is not a threat against our friends but it is a threat against our enemies. Israel should understand what it means.”

Meanwhile, visiting London yesterday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif told an audience at the Chatham House think-tank that Iran will continue to collaborate with “non-state actors” in Syria, other than those affiliated with al-Qaeda. He also urged greater UK-Iran political and economic cooperation.