Missile Tests Not Linked to UN Resolution on JCPOA

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country's missile tests are not in contravention of a UN resolution endorsing the nuclear agreement with major powers.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran asserts that its defense missile program is by no means linked to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the nature and design of Iran's ballistic missiles ensure that the missile tests are no breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231," Bahram Qasemi also said on Wednesday, Press TV reported.

JCPOA is the formal name of the nuclear agreement.

Qasemi noted that Iran would continue to boost its defense capabilities in line with the doctrine to defend national security and promote regional peace and stability.  

The spokesman's remarks came in reaction to a statement by the G7 countries, which claimed that Iran's missile tests were "inconsistent" with UN Resolution 2231.

Qasemi also underlined the need for the commitment of all parties to implement JCPOA, as stressed by the G7 countries, to help guarantee the sustainability of the nuclear deal.

"Iran expects the full and balanced implementation of it [JCPOA] by all sides in a constructive atmosphere," he said. In their final statement, the G7 countries also voiced their support for JCPOA and stressed the "continued and full implementation" of the agreement. Qasemi said the International Atomic Energy Agency had on numerous occasions confirmed Iran's full compliance with the nuclear agreement.

"As verified by the IAEA reports, the Islamic Republic of Iran has so far precisely and completely fulfilled all its obligations in the nuclear sector and it is Iran's natural, legitimate and legal expectation that the other side reciprocates both in their action and their political approaches by fulfilling their JCPOA commitments, including the removal of sanctions."

Under the JCPOA signed in 2015 between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China—plus Germany, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions.

Resolution 2231 was adopted on July 20, 2015, to endorse the historic accord. Under the resolution, Iran is "called upon" not to undertake any activity related to missiles "designed to be capable of" delivering nuclear weapons. Iran says it is not involved in any such missile work and has no such warheads.