Iran Press/Iran news: The UN Security Council met behind closed-doors to discuss the alleged Iranian missile test, which the United States and its allies, Britain and France, claimed may have been in violation of Resolution 2231. The session ended with no joint statement, according to an Iran Press report.
The UN security council session, on 4 December, ended with no joint statement despite US Ambassador Nikki Haley calling on council members to condemn "Iran's missile test", which Washington described as "dangerous".
After the council meeting, Kuwait's ambassador to UN Mansour al-Otaibis said UNSC member states have not reached a consensus on the matter.
Iran has long maintained that its missile program is purely defensive in nature and meant to deter enemies, a stance supported by Russia at the Security Council.
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Iran urges all countries to abide by UN Security Council resolutions
Iran’s mission to the United Nations said all ballistic missile related activities of the Islamic Republic are in full conformity with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal.
The mission, in a statement released on Tuesday, described the United States as the gross violator of resolution 2231, emphasizing that “Portraying Iran’s ballistic missile program as inconsistent with Resolution 2231 or as a regional threat is a deceptive and hostile policy of the US.”
It further noted that the US unlawfully quit the nuclear agreement, and is in absolute violation of UN Security Council resolution 2231. The US is also trying to punish those countries which have tried to comply with the provisions of UNSC resolution 2231.
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Iran urges UNSC to condemn Pompeo's remarks
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also lambasted what he termed Washington’s mockery of the UN Security Council to hold a closed-door meeting and discuss Tehran’s missile program.
"Making a mockery of the UNSC won't obscure failure to fulfill obligations & to hold US to account over non-compliance. Esp when even US admits that UNSCR2231 does NOT prohibit Iran's deterrent capabilities. Rather than undermining 2231, better to work towards its adherence by all," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote in its twitter account on December 4, 2018.
Also Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Sunday that the Islamic Republic is currently one of the world’s topmost missile powers despite being subject to severe sanctions during the past 40 years.
Photo shows Iran’s short-range solid fuel Zolfaqar ballistic missile
On December 3, the US special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, urged the European Union to impose new sanctions on Iran, calling the program a "grave and escalating threat."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier without presenting any evidence or documents, claimed the alleged Iranian missile is capable of carrying multiple warheads and striking parts of Europe and the entire Middle East.
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Zarif slams Pompeo for his audacity to threaten Iranians
Iranian air defense forces launched a homemade missile system and unveiled a new artillery system on 5 November, during a joint military drill.
The United States decided in May to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions on Iran, to the dismay of its Europeans allies.
The nuclear deal provides for a lifting of sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on Tehran's civilian nuclear activities.
The remaining five signatories to the nuclear deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- have backed an EU effort to set up a special payment system in a bid to maintain trade and business ties with Iran. 101/205/211
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Iran urges UNSC to condemn Pompeo's remarks
