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Iranian General Criticizes U.N. Resolution on Nuclear Deal Iranian General Criticizes U.N. Resolution on Nuclear Deal
(about 2 hours later)
TEHRAN — The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards objected on Monday to the United Nations Security Council resolution that is part of the landmark nuclear agreement, asserting it crossed some “red lines” concerning Iranian defenses. TEHRAN — The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards objected on Monday to the United Nations Security Council resolution that is part of the landmark nuclear agreement, asserting it crossed some “red lines” concerning Iranian defenses.
The objection, by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, was not expected to derail the nuclear agreement reached last week between Iran and world powers. But it appeared to open a new point of contention within Iran’s political hierarchy.The objection, by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, was not expected to derail the nuclear agreement reached last week between Iran and world powers. But it appeared to open a new point of contention within Iran’s political hierarchy.
General Jafari’s remarks amounted to the most authoritative criticism from the leader of an influential faction in Iran since diplomats announced the agreement in Vienna.General Jafari’s remarks amounted to the most authoritative criticism from the leader of an influential faction in Iran since diplomats announced the agreement in Vienna.
“He and others just want to be registered as critics of this agreement so that in case things go wrong they can say we told you so,” said Farshad Ghorbanpour, a political analyst close to the government. “He and others just want to be registered as critics of this agreement so that in case things go wrong they can say, ‘We told you so,’ ” said Farshad Ghorbanpour, a political analyst close to the government.
Others said General Jafari’s remarks appeared mainly intended to bolster the image of the Revolutionary Guards inside Iran and the region by emphasizing they will not give in to Western powers.Others said General Jafari’s remarks appeared mainly intended to bolster the image of the Revolutionary Guards inside Iran and the region by emphasizing they will not give in to Western powers.
Analysts concluded that the nuclear agreement was basically endorsed by Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, when he praised certain aspects of the deal. Iran’s Parliament is to debate the agreement on Tuesday, and an approval is expected.Analysts concluded that the nuclear agreement was basically endorsed by Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, when he praised certain aspects of the deal. Iran’s Parliament is to debate the agreement on Tuesday, and an approval is expected.
General Jafari’s remarks, reported in an interview with Iran’s Tasnim news agency, appeared to be primarily concerned with the restrictions in the Security Council resolution on Iran’s missile capabilities. They are not part of the nuclear accord.General Jafari’s remarks, reported in an interview with Iran’s Tasnim news agency, appeared to be primarily concerned with the restrictions in the Security Council resolution on Iran’s missile capabilities. They are not part of the nuclear accord.
The interview was published as the Security Council voted 15 to 0 to approve the resolution, which sets in motion a process for the United Nations sanctions on Iran to be vacated over time.The interview was published as the Security Council voted 15 to 0 to approve the resolution, which sets in motion a process for the United Nations sanctions on Iran to be vacated over time.
“Some of the points inserted in the draft are clearly in contradiction to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s major red lines and violate them, particularly regarding arms capabilities, and we’ll never accept it,” General Jafari was quoted as saying, referring to the Security Council resolution.“Some of the points inserted in the draft are clearly in contradiction to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s major red lines and violate them, particularly regarding arms capabilities, and we’ll never accept it,” General Jafari was quoted as saying, referring to the Security Council resolution.
Stressing that he spoke as a military man, he said that what troubled him the most was what he saw as the resolution’s violation of “the very critical red line, namely maintaining and upgrading Iran’s defense capabilities.”Stressing that he spoke as a military man, he said that what troubled him the most was what he saw as the resolution’s violation of “the very critical red line, namely maintaining and upgrading Iran’s defense capabilities.”
Iran has developed a sizable missile industry, and has distributed some of the weapons to regional allies: Hamas in Gaza and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Both have used them in conflicts with Israel.Iran has developed a sizable missile industry, and has distributed some of the weapons to regional allies: Hamas in Gaza and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Both have used them in conflicts with Israel.
Under the Security Council resolution approved on Monday, another resolution will be required that lifts restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile activities after eight years. This was part of a compromise worked out by diplomats at the nuclear talks to avert an impasse in the negotiations. Under the Security Council resolution approved on Monday, another resolution will be required that lifts restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile activities after eight years. This was part of a compromise worked out by diplomats at the nuclear talks to avert an impasse.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the Security Council vote, commending the acceptance of the agreement but also asserting that Iran would continue to strengthen its military capabilities for defensive purposes. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that missile technology was not part of the nuclear agreement.Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the Security Council vote, commending the acceptance of the agreement but also asserting that Iran would continue to strengthen its military capabilities for defensive purposes. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that missile technology was not part of the nuclear agreement.
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