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Iran 'conducts new ballistic missile tests' | Iran 'conducts new ballistic missile tests' |
(7 days later) | |
Iran has launched several ballistic missiles from silos across the country as part of a military exercise, state media say, defying US pressure. | Iran has launched several ballistic missiles from silos across the country as part of a military exercise, state media say, defying US pressure. |
The Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that the tests demonstrated the country's "deterrent power". | The Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that the tests demonstrated the country's "deterrent power". |
US officials said that if the reports were confirmed, they would raise the matter at the UN Security Council. | US officials said that if the reports were confirmed, they would raise the matter at the UN Security Council. |
In January, the US imposed sanctions targeting Iran's missile programme in response to the last round of tests. | In January, the US imposed sanctions targeting Iran's missile programme in response to the last round of tests. |
UN experts said those tests had violated a Security Council resolution. | UN experts said those tests had violated a Security Council resolution. |
Resolution 1929, which barred Iran from undertaking any work on "ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads", was terminated after a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers was implemented two months ago. | |
A new resolution, 2231, then came into force that "calls upon" Iran not to undertake any activity related to "ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons". | |
Iran says it does not have nuclear weapons and will continue missile development. | Iran says it does not have nuclear weapons and will continue missile development. |
'Appropriate response' | 'Appropriate response' |
Iranian state television reported on Tuesday that the missiles were fired from silos at various locations, without naming them. | Iranian state television reported on Tuesday that the missiles were fired from silos at various locations, without naming them. |
It broadcast pictures of one of the night-time launches, and a presenter said the missile was a medium-range Qiam-1, according to the Reuters news agency. | It broadcast pictures of one of the night-time launches, and a presenter said the missile was a medium-range Qiam-1, according to the Reuters news agency. |
The Revolutionary Guards' statement said the tests were intended "to show Iran's deterrent power and also the Islamic Republic's ability to confront any threat against the [Islamic] Revolution, the state and the sovereignty of the country". | The Revolutionary Guards' statement said the tests were intended "to show Iran's deterrent power and also the Islamic Republic's ability to confront any threat against the [Islamic] Revolution, the state and the sovereignty of the country". |
The head of the Guards' Aerospace Force, Brig Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh told state television that the missiles had "struck a target 700km (435 miles) away". | The head of the Guards' Aerospace Force, Brig Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh told state television that the missiles had "struck a target 700km (435 miles) away". |
He warned the US was "trying to turn off the lights of Iran's missile programme", adding: "The Guards don't give into threats." | He warned the US was "trying to turn off the lights of Iran's missile programme", adding: "The Guards don't give into threats." |
US state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said it was "aware of and following closely" the reports of the missile tests. | US state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said it was "aware of and following closely" the reports of the missile tests. |
"If confirmed, we intend to raise the matter in the UN Security Council. We will also encourage a serious review of the incident and press for an appropriate response." | "If confirmed, we intend to raise the matter in the UN Security Council. We will also encourage a serious review of the incident and press for an appropriate response." |
"This development underscores why we continue to work closely with partners around the world to slow and degrade Iran's missile programme." | "This development underscores why we continue to work closely with partners around the world to slow and degrade Iran's missile programme." |
Mr Toner also said the US would "continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran's missile programme". | Mr Toner also said the US would "continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran's missile programme". |
While any missile of a certain size could in theory be used to carry a nuclear warhead, Iran says its missiles are for use solely as a conventional deterrent. | While any missile of a certain size could in theory be used to carry a nuclear warhead, Iran says its missiles are for use solely as a conventional deterrent. |
It claims to have ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000km (1,250 miles) that would be capable of reaching Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. | It claims to have ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000km (1,250 miles) that would be capable of reaching Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. |