Iran Confirms Missile Test: No Breach of Nuclear Deal

Local Editor

Iran confirmed on Wednesday that it had tested a ballistic missile, but refused that was a breach of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

"The action was in line with boosting Iran's defense power and is not in contradiction with the JCPOA [the nuclear deal] or Resolution 2231," Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said.

He was referring to a UN Security Council resolution that bans Iran from developing missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.

He further said: "This test was in line with our ongoing programs," the ISNA news agency quoted Dehghan as saying.

The minister also made it clear that missile tests are part of Iran's defense plans aimed at fulfilling its national interests, saying no one could affect the country's plans and decisions.

"We have previously announced that we will execute the programs we have planned in production of defense items meant for our national interests and objectives. Nobody can influence our decision."

Tehran on Tuesday warned Washington against fueling tensions.

"We hope that Iran's defense program is not used by the new US administration... as a pretext to create new tensions," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.

His comments came ahead of emergency consultations at the UN Security Council on the missile test convened at Washington's request.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team