Iranian Defense Minister Insists Tehran's Missile Test Not a Violation

Tehran’s recent cruise missile test was successful and was not in violation of the country's commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran’s Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan said Thursday.

MOSCOW, February 2 (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, media reported that Iran had carried out its first test of a cruise missile of Sumar type, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The missile, launched on January 29, covered some 600 kilometers (370 miles), German Welt newspaper said, citing German intelligence services.

Dehqan said in an interview with the Tasnim news agency that Iran’s missile test did not violate neither the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 nor the JCPOA.

Under the JCPOA, signed by Iran, the European Union and the P5+1 group of countries, Tehran pledged to not seek to develop or acquire nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran. The UNSC resolution was passed shortly afterwards, reaffirming the nuclear agreement.

On Wednesday, the Iranian Defense Minister confirmed that Iran carried out a new missile test. He also said that the missile test did not violate the nuclear agreement between Tehran and P5+1 group of world powers or the UN Security Council resolution.

On Monday, the United States has issued an unprecedented warning to Iran after Tehran carried out a medium-range ballistic missile test on Sunday.