UN Condemns Iran's Missile Test, Says It May Have Violated Nuclear Sanctions

The United Nations Security Council has condemned Iran's October missile test, saying the Emad rocket was capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, violating international sanctions. The test came on the heels of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear agreement between Iran and six Western powers. The council panel could not determine if Iran's actions were a "willful violation," but emphasized that it could not allow Iran to disregard its resolutions with impunity. US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power vowed to work with partners to ensure better enforcement of UN measures and to hold Iran accountable for violations.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN Security Council condemned Iran's October missile test, saying the Emad rocket was capable of carrying a nuclear weapon and violating international sanctions.
• The missile test occurred on October 10, after the historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear agreement between Iran and six Western powers.
• The US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, emphasized that the US would work with partners to ensure better enforcement of UN measures and to hold Iran accountable for violations.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted unanimously to stop its investigation into Iran's past nuclear activity, moving forward with the accord reached between Tehran and six Western powers.
• The IAEA had been investigating Iran's nuclear program for over a decade to determine if the Islamic nation was pursuing atomic weapons.
• The UN Security Council panel could not reach a conclusion on whether Iran participated in a "willful violation" of international sanctions, but emphasized that it would not tolerate Iran disregarding its resolutions.

Statistics:

• The Emad rocket is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.
• The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear agreement was reached in July.
• The IAEA had been investigating Iran's nuclear program for over a decade.
• The US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, emphasized that the US would work with partners to hold Iran accountable for violations, citing that the number of violations is significant.
• The UN Security Council has not determined what actions to take against Iran, but emphasized that it would not allow Iran to disregard its resolutions with impunity.

Sources:

• UPI: "UN: Iran violated international sanctions with missile test"
• U.N. Security Council statement
• International Atomic Energy Agency statement