Iran missile tests no violation of JCPOA: Top diplomat

A senior Iranian diplomat says the Islamic Republic’s missile tests are not a breach of the recent nuclear agreement struck between Tehran and six world powers.

Tehran’s “missile tests are by no means a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday.

His remarks came after Iran successfully test-fired a new precision-guided long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, dubbed Emad, on October 11.

“None of Iran’s missiles, including ballistic ones, have been designed to carry a nuclear warhead, and thus their production and test are not contrary to [UN Security Council] Resolution 2231,” Araghchi stressed.

Araghchi also noted that Tehran will continue taking necessary measures to reinforce defensive capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and to counter any act of aggression and terrorist threats.

He made the remarks a few hours after US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power claimed that Iran’s recent ballistic missile test was “a clear violation” of UN sanctions, and that Washington will seek action from the Security Council.

Iran has repeatedly said its missiles would never carry a nuclear warhead as it has no plans to produce atomic weapons.

Tehran has also announced that under the fatwa (decree) issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, its long-established policy is to oppose the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons.