Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has characterized U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s remarks at the UN Security Council as “bragging”.
On December 12, Pompeo told the UN Security Council that Washington would seek to work with the 15-member body to reimpose ballistic missile restrictions on Iran. He also said a UN arms embargo on Tehran should not be lifted in 2020. He called on the Security Council to establish "inspection and interdiction measures, in ports and on the high seas, to thwart Iran's continuing efforts to circumvent arms restrictions."
Zarif fired off a tweet on Thursday, calling Pompeo’s remarks “bragging” and accused the U.S. of violating the same resolution that Washington says Iran is violating.
In latest mockery of #UNSC, @SecPompeo—bragged abt violating Res 2231; outlined plans for more violations—confirmed that US and allies rely on defunct Res 1929 provision on missiles—turned an isolated US into 1st perm SC member to PUNISH other countries for COMPLYING w/ Res.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 13, 2018
Iran’s ambassador to the UN has also said that the U.S. has taken the Security Council “hostage”.
President Donald Trump’s administration has accused Tehran of violating UN resolution 2231 that bans Iran from any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
Iran tested a missile in early December that is thought to be capable of carrying multiple warheads. Both the U.S. and U.K. condemned the test as a violation of the UN resolution.
Later a senior Iranian official admitted to the test and said that Iran will continue its missile program.
The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that’s capable of carrying multiple warheads. This test violates UNSCR 2231. Iran’s missile testing & missile proliferation is growing. We condemn this act and call upon Iran to cease these activities.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 1, 2018