US: Iran missile test violated UN resolutions

The United States will seek action at the UN Security Council after concluding that Iran's recent ballistic missile launch was a "clear violation" of UN resolutions, the US ambassador said Friday.

Iran announced Sunday it had successfully tested a new domestically produced long-range missile, which it said was the first that could be guided all the way to targets.

"After reviewing the available information, we can confirm that Iran launched on October 10 a medium-range ballistic missile inherently capable of delivering a nuclear weapon," US Ambassador Samantha Power said.

"This was a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1929," she added in remarks released to the press.

Power said the United States would present a report on the violation to the UN sanctions committee in the coming days and press for "an appropriate response to Iran's disregard for its international obligations."

The launch came months after some Iranian officials voiced concern that the Islamic republic's recent nuclear deal with world powers could place limits on its missile program.

The Security Council resolution adopted a few days after the nuclear agreement bars Iran from developing missiles "designed to carry nuclear warheads."

Iran has said its missiles would never carry a nuclear warhead as it has no plans to develop atomic weapons, but military officials have insisted on expanding the country's missile program.

The deal reached with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States aims to limit Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting international sanctions.
Source: AFP