US and allies urge UN action against Iran for missile launches
Four Western powers note threat to Israel, nuclear capabilities of ballistic missiles tested earlier this month, in letter calling for ‘appropriate response’
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The United States and three allies are calling for a Security Council meeting to formulate an “appropriate response” to Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests which they say were carried out in defiance of a UN resolution and to threaten Israel.
A report from the US, France, Britain and Germany obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press calls the launches “destabilizing and provocative” and says the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile and Qiam-1 short-range ballistic missile that were fired are “inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
A Security Council resolution adopted after the Iran nuclear deal was signed last year calls for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.
The letter also stated that the four powers “note with concern that Iranian military leaders have reportedly claimed these missiles are designed to be a direct threat to Israel,” Reuters reported.
Israel called for punitive action against Iran following the March 9 tests of the two ballistic missiles, which an Iranian news agency said had the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” written on them in Hebrew.
The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s aerospace division, saying the test was aimed at showing Israel that Iran could hit it.
“The 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) range of our missiles is to confront the Zionist regime,” Hajizadeh said. “Israel is surrounded by Islamic countries and it will not last long in a war. It will collapse even before being hit by these missiles.”
The report from the four Western nations was sent to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Spain’s UN ambassador, who has been designated by the Security Council to receive communications about Iran’s compliance with the resolution.
It asked Secretary-General Ban to report “fully and thoroughly” on Iranian ballistic missile activity “inconsistent” with the council resolution, and for the Security Council to discuss “appropriate responses.”
When the Iranian test-firings were raised in the council on March 14, Russia said the launches were not a violation, which makes council action unlikely.
Israel’s ambassador to the world body Danny Danon welcomed the four countries’ call for a united response.
“There must be consequences for Iran’s hostility towards Israel and for its complete disregard of Security Council Resolution 2231 which endorsed the JCPOA nuclear agreement,” Danon said in a statement late Tuesday.
“Iran’s true intentions have been revealed, despite their attempts to hide behind a cloak of smiles. The international community must take action and impose sanctions against the Iranian regime.”
Phrases threatening Israel have been emblazoned on missiles fired before by Iran, but this test came after the country signed a nuclear deal with world powers, including the US.
Hard-liners in Iran’s military have fired rockets and missiles despite US objections since the deal, as well as shown underground missile bases on state television.
The test appeared timed to coincide with US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.