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France accuses Iran of violating UN Security Council resolutions by launching its newest ballistic missile. Photo/Daily Maverick
PARIS – France has accused Iran of violating a UN Security Council resolution backing the 2015 nuclear deal by testing a long-range ballistic missile. France found the launch worrying given the uninterrupted escalation of Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran successfully test-launched a ballistic missile with a potential range of 2,000 km on Thursday. It is the latest in ballistic missile tests and satellite launches.
“This activity is all the more concerning in the context of the continued escalation of Iran’s nuclear program,” French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre told reporters at a daily briefing as quoted by US News, Friday (26/5/2023).
UN Security Council Resolution 2231 calls on Iran not to engage in any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but the language is ambiguous, leaving it open to interpretation.
Western officials said that although the launch contravened resolution 2231, it was not a violation of Iran’s core nuclear agreement with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.
Western powers are deeply concerned that the UNSC is limiting missiles and related technology until October 2023, after which Iran is free to carry out its ballistic missile activities.
Legendre’s remarks for the escalation of Iran’s nuclear program come just 10 days before the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35 member states meets in Vienna.
“Iran’s activities pose a serious and escalating non-proliferation risk without credible civil justification,” he said.
