‘Iran’s ballistic missile program in full compliance with UNSC Resolution 2231’

Iran’s mission to the United Nations says all ballistic missile related activities of the Islamic Republic are in full conformity with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- the official title assigned to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal.

The mission, in a statement released on Tuesday, described the United States as the gross violator of the resolution, emphasizing that “portraying Iran’s ballistic missile program as inconsistent with Resolution 2231 or as a regional threat is a deceptive and hostile policy of the US.”

It further noted that the US unlawfully quit the nuclear agreement, and is in absolute violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The statement came shortly after Security Council met behind closed-doors to discuss alleged Iran's latest missile test, which the United States and its allies said may have been in violation of Resolution 2231. The session ended with no joint statement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also lambasted what he termed Washington’s mockery of the UN Security Council to hold a closed-door meeting and discuss Tehran’s missile program.

“The United States has repeatedly warned the world about Iran's deliberate efforts to destabilize the Middle East and defy international norms,” US Ambassador Nikki Haley said in a statement.

She added, “The international community cannot keep turning a blind eye every time Iran blatantly ignores Security Council resolutions.”

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Sunday that the Islamic Republic is currently one of the world’s topmost missile powers despite being subject to severe sanctions during the past 40 years.

“Today, Iran is among the world’s topmost powers in building missiles, radars, armored vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” the Iranian defense minister said in an exclusive interview with IRNA, emphasizing that Iran's defense power is meant to send the message of peace and friendship to other nations.

PressTV-'Iran among world’s top missile powers'

The Iranian defense minister says the country is currently one of the world’s topmost missile powers despite severe sanctions.

The senior spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces also said on Sunday that the country would continue to test and develop its missiles in line with its deterrence policy despite adversarial positions taken on this issue by US officials.

“Missile tests and the overall defensive capability of the Islamic Republic are for defense [purposes] and in line with our country’s deterrence [policy]…We will continue to both test and develop missiles," Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said, adding, "This issue is outside the framework of any negotiations and is part of our national security. We will not ask any country's permission in this regard."

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