European Union voices concern over Iran’s missile programme

The Resolution specifically calls on Iran not to test any ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, or using ballistic missile technology, for eight years after the signing of the JCPOA, or after the International Atomic Energy Commission has determined Iran has lived up to its end of the deal.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that on Sunday Iran test-launched a medium-range ballistic missile that exploded after travelling just over 1,000 kilometres.

President Donald Trump promised during his campaign that he would tear up the nuclear agreement with Iran, but his team later walked back those comments.

Since its passage, Iran has conducted multiple ballistic missile launches in defiance of the resolution but this is the first confirmed missile launch since Trump assumed office.

The Iranian government has carried out a medium range missile test launch.

On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Washington against fomenting tensions over the missile programme of Iran.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he meant to “raise the renewal of sanctions against Iran in this context and in other contexts” in his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 15.

Haley also added that America wanted to shoot down its supplies of missile technology to Tehran, and said that no other country should be supplying Iran with any of the technology which allows such unsafe missile tests.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Iran had “a medium-sized missile launch testing on January 29”.

On the campaign trail Mr Trump called the deal “a disaster” and suggested his administration will abandon it, although such rhetoric has simmered down since he won the United States general election last November.

Trump is due to meet the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 15 February.

Haley said the missile Iran launched Sunday can deliver a nuclear weapon.

The new USA defence secretary has said Iran is the biggest threat in the region, and the new administration is expected to take a harder line on Iran’s regional projection of power than its predecessor.

Republican senators introduced legislation in recent weeks cracking down on Iran’s ballistic missile activities and human rights violations.

Therefore, ballistic missiles tests do not contravene the contents of the resolution and certain countries’ attitude which are politically motivated are doomed, he said.

Prior to the JCPOA, Iran’s ballistic missile activities were barred by a series of United Nations resolutions backed by American and global sanctions.

Shortly before Spicer’s briefing, Netanyahu tweeted: “Iran has again launched a ballistic missile”.