In a post on his Twitter account on Thursday night, Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the US claim that Iran’s move to launch space rockets and test missiles violated resolution 2231, which endorses the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“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,” Zarif said.
He added, “Reminder to the US: 1. Res 1929 is dead; 2. threats engender threats, while civility begets civility.”
The top Iranian diplomat’s tweet came in response to his American counterpart’s allegations against Iran's plan to launch three Space Launch Vehicles (SLV).
Mike Pompeo recently said that the SLVs incorporate technology that is “virtually identical” to that used in intercontinental ballistic missiles, claiming that such rocket launches would violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
In May 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA, which was achieved in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Following the US exit, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.
Resolution 2231 calls on Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.”
Tehran insists its missile tests and rocket launches do not breach any UN resolution because they are solely for defense purposes and not designed to carry nuclear warheads.