UNSC resolution imposes no ban on Iran missiles: Irans FM

"As the foreign minister, I can say that the issue of missiles has never been subject to negotiations between Iran and its [opposite negotiating] sides," Zarif told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

He emphasized that nothing has been approved or endorsed in Security Council Resolution 2231 about the prohibition of missile activities for the Islamic Republic.

“Our defense doctrine is basically based on deterrence and defense, not offensive [purposes],” the top Iranian diplomat said.
This is an issue which the Islamic Republic has proved throughout its history, he added.

Zarif made the remarks in reaction to an allegation by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a post on his Twitter account on December 1, claiming that Iran has "just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile" in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

Pompeo condemned what he described as "growing" Tehran's "missile testing and missile proliferation," and called upon the Islamic Republic to cease these activities.

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 enshrined the 2015 international nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which Washington has withdrawn under the pretext, among others, that it should have included Iran's missile program as well.

Under the deal, reached between Iran and six major powers -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- Tehran agreed to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions.

/SR

UNSC resolution imposes no ban on Iran missiles: Iran's FM