TEHRAN, Iran – Iran test-fired another ballistic missile, the latest in a spate of tests following the implementation of the nuclear deal with world powers earlier this year, according to a report Monday by the country’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The test-firing of the missile, with a range of 2,000 kilometres, or 1,250 miles, was carried out two weeks ago, the agency quoted Gen. Ali Abdollahi, deputy chief of headquarters of armed forces, as saying.
Iran, which insists the ballistic tests do not violate the nuclear deal, is likely seeking to demonstrate it is pushing ahead with its ballistic program despite scaling back on the nuclear program following the deal that led to the lifting of international sanction on Tehran.
Abdollahi said the latest missile tested is very accurate, within 8 metres (yards). “Eight meters means nothing, it means it’s without any error,” he said. He did not elaborate.
In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles – one emblazoned with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew – that set off an international outcry.
The landmark deal does not include provisions against missile launches and when it came into effect on Jan. 16, the Security Council lifted most U.N. sanctions against Tehran, including a ban it had imposed in 2010 on Iran testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
To deal with the restrictions in the nuclear agreement, the council adopted a resolution last July, which only “calls on” Iran not to carry out such tests.