After Iran missile test, USA lawmakers call for continued sanctions

Talking live on Iran’s state TV, Mr. Rouhani said the resolution, by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was “not only a legal and technical success… but a political and ethical success” since it proved to the world that Iran had not been after the nuclear arms in its nuclear program over the past years.

Rouhani said Iran would carry out its remaining obligations in the coming two weeks to pave the way for the lifting of sanctions in January.

Rouhani, a pragmatist whose election in 2013 led to a diplomatic thaw between the Islamic Republic and the West, voiced hope that sanctions on Iran would be removed in January, “delivering one of the electoral promises of the government”.

Despite the finding, the global response to the report has been muted, reflecting a wish to press ahead with an accord that allayed fears of a wider Middle East war over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, rather than dwell on its past actions.

The Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Iran said in a confidential report, first reported by Reuters, the medium-range Emad rocket, tested in October, met its requirements for considering that a missile could deliver a nuclear weapon.

Iran, keen to export oil freely again once sanctions are dismantled, has repeatedly said that it has enriched uranium only to create an alternative source of electricity.

Iran’s United Nations mission did not respond to a request for comment.

Paragraph nine of UNSCR 1929 states, “Iran shall not undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology, and that States shall take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer of technology or technical assistance to Iran related to such activities”.

The seriousness of these criticisms was underlined on Tuesday when The Tower reported that a UN Panel of Experts had concluded last week that the October test of an Emad-class ballistic missile was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as various officials had individually claimed.

“Nor has the agency found any credible indications of the diversion of nuclear material in connection with the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme”. In October, Tehran disputed the Western assessment that the missile was capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hails the UN’s decision to end the probe on nuclear weapons in the country.

China on Wednesday welcomed the resolution adopted by the IAEA to close the investigation into Iran’s alleged nuclear activities, saying it may help implementation of a historic nuclear deal signed in July.

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said his organization’s long-term plan will be sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after approval of the Supreme National Security Council and the JCPOA Monitoring Board.