Iran hasn't violated Res 2231: Javad Zarif hits back at Pompeo

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that the country has not violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program of Iran, by launching space vehicles and conducting missile tests.

Zarif's clarification came after United States Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo said the launch of space vehicles with "virtually same technology" as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) was in defiance of UNSCR 2231.

"#Iran plans to fire off Space Launch Vehicles with virtually same technology as ICBMs. The launch will advance its missile program. US, France, UK & Germany have already stated this is in defiance of UNSCR 2231. We won't stand by while the regime threatens international security," Pompeo had tweeted on Thursday.

In response to this, Zarif tweeted: "Iran's launch of space vehicles- & missile tests-are NOT in violation of Res 2231. The US is in material breach of same, & as such it is in no position to lecture anyone on it.

Reminder to the US:

1. Res 1929 is dead;

2. threats engender threats, while civility begets civility."

In November last year, Iranian Deputy Defence Minister General Qassem Taqizadeh had said Tehran would soon launch into space three satellites made by domestic experts.

However, Pompeo said the rocket launches would violate UNSCR 2231, which endorsed a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. It calls upon Iran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but does not explicitly bar such activity, Al Jazeera reported.

While Pompeo has said on several occasions that Iran has launched ballistic missiles numerous times since the UN resolution was adopted, Iran has repeatedly rejected these accusations.

Last year, Donald Trump-led US had pulled out of the Iran deal, which was negotiated by former president Barack Obama, and instead, reimposed sanctions on the country.