After Iran allegedly conducted a missile test, the U.S. requested an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Jan. 31.
The U.S. said that Iran conducted a medium-range ballistic missile test on Sunday, violating UN terms. In 2015, the UN Security Council created the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Accordingly, this plan intends to ensure Iran’s nuclear program maintains peace between world powers.
Additionally, the Plan prohibited Iran from all activities related to ballistic missiles that carry nuclear warheads. However, it does not ban Iran from conducting ballistic missile tests not intended for nuclear warheads.
Although the U.S. called the meeting to action, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he does not know the “exact nature” of the missile test. Reports indicate the missile flew approximately 600 miles before exploding.
In response to the concern, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif did not clarify whether the test took place. However, he said at a press conference in Tehran that Iran’s missiles are not designed for nuclear warheads.
As stated in the official JCPOA, “Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.”
After the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified Iran implemented nuclear-related measures outlined in the plan, the U.S. and EU lifted nuclear sanctions on Iran. Signers of the plan include China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, European Union, and Iran.
Despite that Israel is not involved in the JCPOA, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss Iran sanctions with Trump on Feb. 15.
“Among the issues I will address is the need to renew the sanctions against Iran,” he said. “Sanctions against the ballistic missiles, and other sanctions against the terror and readdressing the failed agreement on its nuclear capabilities.”
Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to create better relations between the U.S. and Israel. In the past, President Donald Trump admitted he did not like the Iran nuclear deal.
