Iran Launches Ballistic Missiles, US Reacts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, the missiles are a violation of the United Nations Security Council – the missile tests – because they are longer than the distance that is allowed for legitimate testing. And because of that they represent a potential threat to countries in the region as well as elsewhere beyond because of the potential distance and testing that goes along with it.

 

So we have made it very clear that the missile concerns remain part of sanctionable activities with respect to Iran. And if Iran chooses to violate that, they will invite those additional sanctions, as we put them in place just a month ago as a result of the prior tests.

—March 13, 2016, in remarks in Paris, France 

 

 

“I want to reiterate, as I know people still doubt, if in fact they break the [nuclear] deal, we will act.”

 

“All their conventional activity outside the deal, which is still beyond the deal, we will and are attempting to act wherever we can find it.”

 

 

 

“I do want to make it clear that such tests, if they are true, are not a violation of the JCPOA. If it’s confirmed that this is what they, in fact, did, then we’ll have every intention of raising the matter to the UN Security Council. We’re also going to encourage a serious review of the incident or incidents and press for an appropriate response.

 

“The only other thing else I would add is that – again, if true – this development would underscore why we continue to work closely with partners around the world to slow and degrade Iran’s missile program. And it’s worth noting that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 has prohibitions that continue to be used to disrupt Iran’s missile-related proliferation and procurement activities.

 

“We also continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran’s missile program, and these tools are in no way impacted by the JCPOA or any phase of its implementation. The Department of the Treasury recently designated entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile program, and again, we always have those tools available to us.”

 

“Well, historically we’ve seen them be in flagrant violation of multilateral and unilateral demands for them not to develop ballistic missile technology. It’s not – I’m not saying we’re pleased by it at by any stretch, but it’s not new that they have proven willing to flagrantly violate those kinds of resolutions against ballistic missile technology.”

 

“They don’t have the right, according to the international community and the UN, to develop ballistic missile technology. They do not. Now, does a nation-state have the right to have a military and to be able to provide for its own self-defense? Of course. And virtually – not every, but virtually every nation-state has such capabilities. But there are limits with respect to Iran about the kinds of capabilities that they’re allowed to pursue. Ballistic missile technology is not one of them.”

 

 

 

“Well, it certainly is possible that Iran could face some consequences for carrying out this action.  And we have demonstrated no reluctance to impose sanctions against Iran for conducting ballistic missile tests that are outside of their international obligations.  But at this point, it’s too early to determine whether or not that’s exactly what’s taken place here.  So we’ll take a look at the situation and if we determine that a response is warranted, then we’ll pursue it.”

 

“The other element that’s important here is the United States is going to continue to deepen our coordination with our other allies and partners in the region to try to counter Iran’s ballistic missile program.  The truth is, there already are other sanctions and prohibitions that are in place that are intended to mitigate or even limit Iran’s ballistic missile program.  And we’ve acknowledged that there’s more that we can do, working closely with our partners and allies, to more effectively enforce those kinds of sanctions and prohibitions.  And that work continues, as well.”

 

 

“There are strong indications [this] test is inconsistent with U.N. Security Council 2231.”

“If confirmed, we intend to raise the matter in the U.N. Security Council. We will also encourage a serious review of the incident and press for an appropriate response.”

“We also continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran's missile program.”

 

 

“What I would say is that what we and the people in the region are concerned about is that they already have overmatch with the numbers of ballistic missiles.”

 

 

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Foreign Relations Committee Chairman

 

“Iran's complete disregard for the ballistic missile restrictions that remain in place must be met with swift and immediate consequences from the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council. The administration's hesitancy and the council's refusal to act after multiple violations last fall must not be repeated now that Iran appears ready to test the will of the international community with the nuclear agreement in place.

 

“A failure to hold them accountable now, including suppliers and enablers of their ballistic missile program, would undermine our efforts to contain Iran's destabilizing behavior and raise serious questions about the ability to enforce violations of the nuclear deal itself.”

 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), ranking Democratic on the Foreign Relations Committee

 

“The Administration should act swiftly to raise these concerns at the United Nations and take action to hold all parties involved responsible for their actions, including, if necessary, through unilateral action.”

 

“I am deeply concerned by Iran’s repetitive disregard of and indifference to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls on Iran to cease any ballistic missile activities.”

 

 

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Armed Services Committee member

 

“I would argue that clearly the sanctions the administration did put in place, which I've said from the beginning are pathetic and weak, are having absolutely no impact.”

 

“Given that they're now continuing to test ballistic missiles and I would hope that we would up our game and impose real tough sanctions on Iran, on their ballistic missile program.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Any one bearing greater enmity towards Islamic Iran will naturally be more fearful of such capabilities and preparednesses.”  

 

“[F]iring of these missiles clearly indicates the active status of IRGC missile centers across the country; the drill made this message across to the enemies that defensive strength and national security are inviolate redlines for us which under no circumstances would these redlines be traded.” 

 

“IRGC’s aerospace force has established formidable force in the region; despite sanctions in the past, our productions are totally indigenous; sanctions brought a boom where our defensive industry burgeoned; still a third redline is our missile capabilities all the defensive arrangements and bodies have a unanimity about this issue.” 

 

“Iran’s security is security of our neighbors in the region; the enemies of the Revolution should now be intimidated by IRGC’s missiles’ thunders and roaring.” 

 

“[O]ur enemies would naturally fear our defensive capabilities, since our missile range is far beyond the Zionist regime cities in the Occupied [Palestinian] Territories.” 

 

“Iran’s security is the security of regional countries and our efforts are in line with establishing security in the region.” 

 

 

 

 

 

“To my regret there are some in the West who are misled by the honeyed words of part of the Iranian leadership while the other part continues to procure equipment and weaponry, to arm terrorist groups.”

“We have certain worries regarding the future, mainly because of the Iranian [nuclear] deal. We believe Iran of today is more confident, more free to act in the region, with more money because of the sanctions relief, violating many UN resolutions regarding the proliferation of arms and terror. … So this regime is still a rogue one. They haven’t changed their nature. They chant death to America. They consider America as the Great Satan, we are lucky to be considered the minor Satan. Very provocative regarding the ballistic missiles, which is a violation of the UN resolution as well, just provocative tests last week, on one of the missiles it was written in Hebrew that Israel should be wiped off the map of the earth.”

 

 

Israel condemns the recent Iranian ballistic missile test launches. The range of these missiles includes all of Israel and large parts of the Middle East, a region currently engaged in a bloody conflict resulting in waves of refugees fleeing to countries in the region and in Europe. The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated to the media that most of Iran's missile arsenal covers Israeli territory.

The test firing of ballistic missiles constitutes a gross violation of UNSC Resolution 2231, which confirmed the nuclear agreement between Iran and the powers. The resolution restricts Iran from launching missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead - the same missiles that Iran test-fired this week. The development of ground-to-ground missiles with nuclear warhead capability calls into question Iran’s’ intentions to comply in full with the nuclear agreement.

Iran continues to dismiss the international community's demands and to develop its aggressive capabilities. It seems the Zarif-Rouhani "smile campaign" is nothing more than a smoke screen to disguise the real intentions of the ayatollah regime. 

Israel calls on the international community to react firmly and decisively against further Iranian missile launches and Iran's continuing development of ground-to-ground missiles - a violation of the Security Council resolution. Iran’s ballistic missile program must stop.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, instructed the Foreign Ministry to contact the P5+1 countries and demand that immediate punitive measures be taken in the wake of Iran's repeated and gross violations on the missiles issue.

 

This is an important step in and of itself and is also a test of the major powers in enforcing the nuclear agreement.

 

 

With the achievement of Implementation Day pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), Security Council sanctions previously imposed on Iran have been terminated.

 

In that resolution, the Secretary-General notes, the Council called upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

 

The Secretary-General also notes that it is for the Security Council to examine information regarding resolution 2231 (2015).

 

At the same time, the Secretary-General urges all concerned to act with restraint.  In the current political atmosphere in the Middle East region, and so soon after the positive news of the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the Secretary-General calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to act with moderation, caution and the good sense not to increase tensions through any hasty actions.