Iran says missile tests don’t violate nuclear treaty

Iran’s foreign ministry insisted on Thursday that the missile tests carried out by the country’s Revolutionary Guard this week do not violate Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers or a UN Security Council resolution.

According to ministry spokesman, Hossein Jaberi Ansari, the missiles were “conventional defensive instruments and they were merely for legitimate defence,” the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard test-launched two ballistic missiles on Wednesday emblazoned with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew a show of power by the Shiae nation, long an opponent of Israel. It was the latest in a series of recent tests, aimed at demonstrating Iran’s intentions to push ahead with its ballistic programme after scaling backing its nuclear programme under the deal reached last year with the US and other world powers.

Mr Ansari said the test-firing “did not defy the Security Council resolution” and added that Iran will continue its missile programme. However, he also said Iran will remain committed to its international obligations.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not compromise over its security and defensive power,” he said. A senior Revolutionary Guards commander has said that ballistic missile programme will not stop under any circumstances and that Tehran has missiles ready to be fired, according to Iranian state television.

Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh made his comments after the tests.

Meanwhile, US secretary of state John Kerry has called his Iranian opposite number to protest against the missile tests.

Iran and the US have no formal diplomatic ties, but Mr Kerry and foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif built a close working relationship.