U.S.: Iran missile test ‘likely’ violated U.N. resolution

Jim Sciutto
By Jim Sciutto, Chief National Security Correspondent
2 minute read
Updated 5:50 PM EDT, Mon October 12, 2015
Iranian air force jets -- a MiG-29, from left, an F-4 Phantom and an F-14 Tomcat -- escort a Boeing 747 as they perform a flyover during a parade marking National Army Day on Saturday, April 18.
Iranian air force jets -- a MiG-29, from left, an F-4 Phantom and an F-14 Tomcat -- escort a Boeing 747 as they perform a flyover during a parade marking National Army Day on Saturday, April 18.
ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA/LANDOV
Iranian army troops wearing ghillie camouflage suits participate in the parade just outside Tehran, Iran.
Iranian army troops wearing ghillie camouflage suits participate in the parade just outside Tehran, Iran.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reviews the parade April 18.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reviews the parade April 18.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Mid-range Zelzal missiles are driven through the parade outside Tehran.
Mid-range Zelzal missiles are driven through the parade outside Tehran.
ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA/LANDOV
Soldiers drive a military vehicle through the parade.
Soldiers drive a military vehicle through the parade.
Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A Zoobin missile is exhibited during the parade.
A Zoobin missile is exhibited during the parade.
Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A soldier sits atop a T-72 tank as it rolls past a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 18.
A soldier sits atop a T-72 tank as it rolls past a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 18.
BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images
Missiles are paraded past Rouhani and military leaders.
Missiles are paraded past Rouhani and military leaders.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Iranian sailors march in the parade.
Iranian sailors march in the parade.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Iran parades military equipment

Story highlights

The test appears to be in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929, official says

It is not in violation of the nuclear agreement reached in July between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers

State media reports Iran test-fires new generation long-range ballistic missile

Washington CNN  — 

Iran’s test this weekend of a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile “likely” violated a U.N. resolution, an administration official told CNN on Monday.

Based on information the administration has so far, the test appears to be in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929, which stipulates that Iran cannot engage in any activities related to ballistic missiles.

The administration official emphasized, however, that the test is not in violation of the nuclear agreement reached in July between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers because that accord is focused on restricting Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon.

A newer U.N. Security Council resolution, number 2231, implementing the deal and banning Iran from engaging in activities related to ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads is not yet in effect.

Over the weekend, state-run media reported that Iran successfully test-fired a new precision-guided, long-range missile.

The Emad (Pillar) surface-to-surface missile, designed and built by Iranian experts, is the country’s first long-range missile that can be precision-guided until it reaches its target, said Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan, Iran’s defense minister.

The Emad would be Tehran’s first precision-guided missile with the range to reach its enemy, Israel.

Israel is bitterly opposed to Iran’s nuclear program, and observers have speculated that it could be prepared to launch pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in an effort to derail their progress.

Dehqan said after the launch that the Emad would greatly increase Iran’s strategic deterrence capability, state media reported.

“To follow our defense programs, we don’t ask permission from anyone,” he said, according to state-run news agency IRNA.

CNN’s Tim Hume contributed to this report.