Iran on Sunday, said it will “continue to both develop and test missiles” as it is for Iran’s defence and the country’s deterrence. Iran also denied that there act was in breach of United Nation’s resolution and said this was outside the “framework of nuclear negotiations” and also a part of Iran’s national security.
The United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo has on Saturday, condemned Iran’s act and termed their testing missiles, which are a medium-range ballistic missiles, in violation of 2015 international agreement under the Iranian nuclear programme. Washington has withdrawn from the programme.
According to news reports, Iran’s armed forces spokesperson Brigadier-General Abolfazl Shekarchi said, “Missile tests … are carried out for defence and the country’s deterrence, and we will continue this.”
Shekarchi said, “We will continue to both develop and test missiles. This is outside the framework of nuclear negotiations and part of our national security, for which we will not ask any country’s permission.”
Though, he still did not confirm or deny the Iran’s act of testing missiles.
US national security adviser John Bolton has tweeted: “Iran just test-fired an INF range ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel and Europe. This provocative behavior cannot be tolerated.”
Iranian foreign minister spokesperson Bahram Qasemi said, “There is no Security Council resolution prohibiting missile programme and missile tests by Iran,” adding that their missiles were totally defensive.
UN resolution 2231 respected Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal made with China, France, Britain, Russia, US and Germany, where Tehran has restricted its disputed uranium programme in exchange for international sanctions, to put it at end.
The resolution stated as Iran has “called upon” to put an end to its eight-year- work on ballistic missiles, which was designed to deliver a nuclear weapons.
Iran continuously denied that its testing is not related to missiles which are capable of delivering nuclear weapons made with uranium enrichment, and asserted that it is purely defensive.
Qasemi said, “It is ironic that you cite a resolution that you have not only breached through your unilateral and unlawful withdrawal from the accord, but that you also encourage others to breach, or even threaten to punish and sanction them if they carry it out.”
US President Donald Trump has in May, reimposed sanctions on Tehran and has pulled out Washington from the nuclear deal. Trump has said the deal is defected as it doesn’t stop Iran from developing kore ballistic missiles and also its support to Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, in order to supply armed proxies to them.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused the US of supplying armed forces to the militants groups residing in Yemen and encouraging the war zone in there.
Zarif, in a tweet, wrote: “Complicity in Saudi & UAE war crimes with arms, intel & logistical support apparently not enough. US also proliferating advanced weapons to extremists incl Al Qaida & ISIS. First Syria; now in Yemen. Aim: Permanent instability to justify heinous policy.”
In a tweet, British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt wrote: “Deeply concerned by Iran’s test firing of a medium range ballistic missile. Provocative, threatening and inconsistent with UNSCR 2231. Our support for JCPoA in no way lessens our concern at Iran’s destabilizing missile programme and determination that it should cease.”