Missile test violates UN sanctions: U.S. envoy

Iran’s recent ballistic missile test was “a clear violation” of UN sanctions, and the United States will seek action from the Security Council, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said Friday.

Power said that after reviewing available information, the United States has confirmed the mediumrange ballistic missile launched on Oct. 10 was “inherently capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.” She said this violated a UN Security Council resolution adopted on June 9, 2010, which imposed a fourth round of sanctions on Iran.

It was Iran’s first missile test since the historic nuclear deal reached July14 between Iran and world powers.

While condemning the ballistic missile test, the United States has made clear that it is “entirely separate” from the nuclear deal, which is aimed at preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons.

The 2010 UN resolution bans Iran from undertaking “any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology.”

President Barack Obama said Friday the Iran nuclear deal was never intended to resolve the range of other issues where the U.S. and Iran have significant differences, including ballistic missiles.

Obama said the U.S. would continue to put pressure on Iran to make clear there are costs for its bad behaviour.