An Iranian Shahab-3 missile launched during military exercises outside the city of Qom, Iran, in June 2011. (AP/ISNA/Ruhollah Vahdati)
On December 1, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that Iran had test fired a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) capable of carrying multiple warheads.
“This test violates UNSCR [United Nations Security Council Resolution] 2231 … Iran’s missile testing & missile proliferation is growing. We condemn this act and call upon Iran to cease these activities,” Pompeo said on Twitter condemning the alleged Iranian missile test.
The UNSCR 2231, which was adopted in July of 2015, endorses the nuclear deal with Iran. However, it forbids the Islamic country from developing missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.
Experts believe that Pompeo was talking about the newly-developed Khorramshahr MRBM. The Iranian missile has a range between 1,000 and 2,000km and it is capable of carrying multiple warheads.
Two days ago, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, condemned a test of Khorramshahr that occurred a year ago and claimed that the missile poses a threat to several European countries. If confirmed, the new Iranian missile test will be a clear response to Hook’s claims.
By shading the light on the Iranian missile program, the U.S. is attempting to pressure the European countries which have resisted Washington and opted to maintain the nuclear deal with Iran so far.
