The UN Security Council (AP/Jason DeCrow)
The US, UK and France are calling for international action against Iran’s “destabilizing and provocative” missile tests. However, thanks to Russia’s influence, no punishment options seem realistic.
The United States and three of its allies called for a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting to respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests which were carried out in defiance of UN resolutions.
A report from the US, France, Britain and Germany obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press calls the launches “destabilizing and provocative.”
It said the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile and Qiam-1 short-range ballistic missile fired by Iran are “inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
Last October and in November Iran successfully test-fired its precision-guided long-range Emad missile.
A Security Council resolution adopted after the Iran nuclear deal was signed last year calls for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.
But when the Iranian test-firings were raised in the council on March 14, Russia said the launches did not violate the resolution because “a call” is not a demand. Russia’s stance makes any council action unlikely because, as a permanent council member, it has veto power.
Iran’s UN Mission said at the time that the country “has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons and never will in the future.” It said the missile tests “were part of ongoing efforts of its armed forces to strengthen its legitimate defense capabilities … against security threats.”
The report from the four Western nations was sent to Spain’s UN ambassador who has been designated by the Security Council to receive communications about Iran’s compliance with the resolution.
It asked Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report “fully and thoroughly” on Iranian ballistic missile activity “inconsistent” with the council resolution, and for the Security Council to discuss “appropriate responses.”
The four nations condemned the threats against Israel in Iranian statements about the launches.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed the council’s call for action.
“There must be consequences for Iran’s hostility towards Israel,” he said in a statement late Tuesday. “The international community must take action and impose sanctions against the Iranian regime.”
“Iran’s true intentions have been revealed, despite their attempts to hide behind a cloak of smiles. The international community must take action and impose sanctions against the Iranian regime,” he continued.
Two weeks ago, Danon called on the UNSC to take punitive action against Iran for conducting ballistic missile tests and for threatening to “wipe Israel off the face of the earth.”
By: AP and United with Israel Staff