© www.ynetnews.com"Up, up and away." Launch photo released by Iranian Defense Ministry
Russia says the Iranian missile program constitutes no basis on which the US can impose potential new sanctions against the Islamic Republic. "We have no confidence that there are any grounds for the imposition of sanctions against Iran in connection with its missile program," Interfax quoted a Russian diplomatic source as saying.
Talk of new US sanctions against Iran emerged after the Islamic Republic successfully test-fired a precision-guided long-range missile on October 11, 2015.
Several US politicians have said the test violated a United Nations resolution against Iran, and called on the US administration to introduce new sanctions against Tehran.
"The Americans interpret the relevant provision of Resolution 1929 as prohibiting any ballistic missile launches, whereas the text speaks about a ban on launches of ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads," the Russian source also said, referring to the UN resolution adopted against Iran in June 2010.
The US administration, however, announced last month new sanctions against nearly a dozen companies and individuals for their alleged role in developing Iran's missile program. Fearing Iran's reaction, the White House delayed implementing the sanctions for an unspecified time. The sanctions would be the first ever since Iran and the P5+1 group reached a nuclear deal, dubbed as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in July 2015.
The agreement would see the removal of nuclear-related sanctions against Iran in return for enhanced transparency by Iran in its peaceful nuclear program. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei had warned that
any new sanctions against Iran under any pretext would be interpreted as a violation of the JCPOA.The unnamed Russian source further said the Kremlin is against "any exacerbation that can obstruct the beginning of the implementation" of the JCPOA that "should apparently happen in January, around its middle."
Iranian officials say no limits can be imposed on the country's conventional military capabilities. They say
none of the Iranian missiles have been "designed for a nuclear capability," and thus their production and test are not in violation of the UN resolution.
Comment: Western assessments claim the Emad missile is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
The US Treasury Department claims a right to blacklist suspected entities (so far not proven entities) that include 12 companies and various individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and UAE. Sanctions would prohibit US citizens or foreign nationals from conducting business with these companies and US banks would be required to freeze any assets held inside the American financial system.
The US politicians demanding sanctions...35 Republicans and 21 Democrats. Since the Obama Administration is at least superficially invested in the success of the accord, it is perceived as unwilling to tip the boat but may still be behind the revolt. The other choice is our favorite agenda guy, blackmailer and briber Mr. Netanyahu. So, what is the curtain and who is behind it?
Comment: Western assessments claim the Emad missile is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. The US Treasury Department claims a right to blacklist suspected entities (so far not proven entities) that include 12 companies and various individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and UAE. Sanctions would prohibit US citizens or foreign nationals from conducting business with these companies and US banks would be required to freeze any assets held inside the American financial system. The US politicians demanding sanctions...35 Republicans and 21 Democrats. Since the Obama Administration is at least superficially invested in the success of the accord, it is perceived as unwilling to tip the boat but may still be behind the revolt. The other choice is our favorite agenda guy, blackmailer and briber Mr. Netanyahu. So, what is the curtain and who is behind it?