US asks UN Security Council to meet over Iran missiles
US envoy to the UN Samantha Power says Washington has asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to discuss in a meeting Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests, which she describes as a threat to Israel.
On Tuesday, Iran fired Qiam ballistic missile from silo-based launchers in different locations across the country and on Wednesday, it successfully test-fired two more ballistic missiles of the Qadr family.
In a statement on Friday, Power said that the US is "deeply concerned" about the tests, describing them as "provocative and destabilizing."
She said the missiles pose a direct threat to Israel, adding "we will raise these dangerous launches directly at council consultations, which we have called for, on Monday."
Tehran, however, has always rejected the claims made by the US, maintaining that its missile capabilities are solely for defense purposes and they do not pose any threat against other nations.
Power said that "these launches underscore the need to work with partners around the world to slow and degrade Iran's missile program."
US State Department Spokesman John Kirby and White House Spokesman Josh Earnest have both said that Iran’s missile tests would not constitute a breach of the recent nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached on July 14, 2015 and implemented in January.
Also, Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said Friday that Iran’s missile program is not subject to the JCPOA.
The Iranian general said the Western governments, notably the US, are determined to impose fresh missile sanctions on Iran through their “unjust and groundless” interpretations of the recent historic nuclear deal in a “sly bid” to “undermine and dismantle surface-to-surface ballistic missiles” of Iran.
Jazayeri further reiterated that Iran’s missile development program is “non-negotiable” and a “red line” for the Islamic Republic.
Therefore, he added, adopting “hasty, emotional, deceitful positions” and spreading propaganda against the “show of force” by the Iranian Armed Forces, including IRGC, are devoid of any justification.
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