UN: Iran missile test in October violated resolution

Security Council says Tehran tested ballistic rocket with a nuclear capability, as it did in 2012 and 2013

By JTA 15 December 2015, 8:30 pm

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A ballistic missile is seen in what Iran says is an underground base, in an undisclosed location in the country. The base is said to be buried 500 meters below ground. (Screen capture PressTV)

Iran violated a U.N. Security Council resolution with its October test of a ballistic missile that had a nuclear capability, sanctions monitors said.

The launch of a medium-range rocket called Emad was analyzed by the council’s panel of experts, and the panel published its findings in a confidential 10-page report, Reuters reported. The news agency reviewed the report on Tuesday.

The Security Council was expected to discuss the report on Tuesday, according to Reuters, and the findings could lead to expanded sanctions against Tehran. They also could lead to a call by congressional Republicans, who oppose the nuclear deal reached in July between Iran and six world powers, to impose additional U.S. sanctions on Iran. The agreement trades Iran sanctions relief for restrictions on its nuclear program.

Additional launches in 2012 and 2013 also violated the resolution’s ban, the report said, according to Reuters.

The resolution, which bans ballistic missile tests, was adopted in 2010 and will remain in effect until the July deal is implemented. The agreement bars Iran from developing missiles “designed to carry nuclear warheads.”

Also Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, at a meeting at its headquarters in Vienna closed its investigation into whether Iran sought to acquire nuclear weapons.