Mogherini says Iran missile tests don’t breach nuclear deal

United Nations Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini says Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests are not in violation of its nuclear deal and the European Union is not considering sanctions at this stage.

Mogherini however warns that last week’s missile tests, which Tehran insists are not aimed at developing nuclear weapons capability, could raise tensions in an already volatile region.

The tests are “not a violation of the (nuclear deal) as such,” Mogherini says after meeting the foreign ministers of the 28 EU nations in Brussels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini (left) take part in a press conference following their talks in Tehran, Iran, on July 28, 2015. (AFP/Behrouz Mehri)

“If there is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, this should be discussed in the appropriate UN bodies and not necessarily in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council.”

Mogherini says that “we expect Iran to fulfill all its international obligations.”

She added: “The point is we all see this as a major problematic element when it comes to regional relations… this would increase tensions in the Middle East at a moment when tensions are definitely not needed.”

— AFP