U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he described as Iran’s testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the international agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program.
As Haaretz reports, amid tension between Washington and Tehran over ballistic missiles, Pompeo warned in a statement released on Twitter that Iran is increasing its “testing and proliferation” of missiles and called on the Islamic Republic to “cease these activities.”
Full State Department Statement:
Iran Test Launches Ballistic Missile Violating UN Security Council Ban
The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple warheads.
The missile has a range that allows it to strike parts of Europe and anywhere in the Middle East.
This test violates UN Security Council resolution 2231 that bans Iran from undertaking “any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology . . .”
As we have been warning for some time, Iran’s missile testing and missile proliferation is growing. We are accumulating risk of escalation in the region if we fail to restore deterrence. We condemn these activities, and call upon Iran to cease immediately all activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
And national Security Advisor John Bolton was quick to jump on this ‘violation’ warning that “this provocative behavior cannot be tolerated.”
Iran just test-fired an INF range ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel and Europe. This provocative behavior cannot be tolerated. https://t.co/EcPQ6MMjv7
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) December 1, 2018
This comes after the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran warned the European Union on Tuesday that Tehran’s patience was running out on the bloc’s pledge to keep up oil trading despite U.S. sanctions. He said Iran could resume enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, if it fails to see economic benefits from the 2015 deal that curbed its nuclear program.
Commentary by The Iranian
As usual, Pompeo and Bolton having an Iran hissy fit. Such cry babies.
Mood: ?
