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Iran test fires ballistic missiles in defiance of UN resolutions
Iran said yesterday that it had tested ballistic missiles, to demonstrate the country’s “deterrent powers,” in a move which the United States indicated could trigger a diplomatic response, as such tests contravene United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions.
Iranian state television showed images of missiles, which the report claimed was medium-range Qiam-1 missiles, being fired from a variety of underground locations. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that the tests were designed “to show Iran’s deterrent power and also the Islamic Republic’s ability to confront any threat.” The head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Force, Brig Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the missiles “struck a target 700km (435 miles) away.”
Yesterday’s tests are the third 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 in January. 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. 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.
In January, the United States imposed fresh sanctions on individuals and businesses linked to the October test. US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said yesterday that Washington intends to raise yesterday’s tests with the UN Security Council and that, “We will also encourage a serious review of the incident and press for an appropriate response.”