Iran News: According to an Iran Press report, Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 has not prohibited Iran’s missile activities.
“I can make it clear as the foreign minister that the issue of missiles has never been the subject of negotiations, and in Resolution 2231 nothing has been approved or ratified about its prohibition for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Zarif told Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday.
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“Our defense doctrine is based upon the concept of deterrence and its purely defensive, not offensive,” the top Iranian diplomat underlined, saying the Islamic Republic of Iran has proved its commitment to such a doctrine throughout its history.
His comments came after Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Aerospace Division, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh confirmed reports that Iran has recently carried out a missile test, saying it was a major test.
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Zarif again underscored that none of the country’s missiles have been designed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads, because nuclear weapons have basically no place in Iran’s defense doctrine.
On December 1, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned what he described as Iran’s testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the UNSC Resolution 2231.
Resolution 2231 calls upon Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
On December 2 and in response to Pompeo's allegation, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said "No resolution has ever banned Iran's missile program or missile tests", adding, "This is interesting and of course ridiculous that you (Pompeo) are referring to a resolution that you have not only violated by illegal and unilateral withdrawal of JCPOA, (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) but also encourage other countries to violate it and even threatened them with punishment and sanctions if they heeded the UN resolution."
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Only 1 in 3 Americans agree with Trump's withdrawal from Iran deal
US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from the nuclear agreement in May and reintroduced sanctions on Iran in August.
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The US withdrawal was met with worldwide criticism, particularly by other signatories to the international agreement. Britain, France, Russia, China, Germany and the European Union have stressed their compliance with the deal and their support for its proper implementation.
Iranian air defense forces launched a homemade missile system and unveiled a new artillery system on 5 November, during a joint military drill. 208/103
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