US ‘Relentless to Deter Iran Missile Program

  • 2/9/2019
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The United States has vowed to remain "relentless" in pressuring Iran to deter its missile program following Tehran’s unveiling of a new ballistic weapon days after testing a cruise missile. "Irans blatant disregard for international norms must be addressed," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement. "We must bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Irans missile program," he added, according to Agence France Presse. "The United States will continue to be relentless in building support around the world to confront the Iranian regimes reckless ballistic missile activity, and we will continue to impose sufficient pressure on the regime so that it changes its malign behavior - including by fully implementing all of our sanctions." Tehran reined in most of its nuclear program under a landmark 2015 deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology. President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear accord in May and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing the program among its reasons. "Irans latest missile launch again proves the Iran deal is doing nothing to stop Irans missile program," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted late Thursday. Irans Revolutionary Guards unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers, their official news agency Sepah News reported. Fars news agency published pictures of an underground missile factory called “underground city”, saying the “Dezful” missile was a version of the Zolfaghar missile that has a 700 km range and a 450 kg warhead. The move was the latest show of military might by the country as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the revolution. Meanwhile, Irans supreme leader Ali Khameneisaid Friday that Europe "cannot be trusted", a week after the EU launched a trade mechanism to bypass US sanctions on Tehran. "These days theres talk of the Europeans and their proposals. My advice is that they shouldnt be trusted, just like the Americans," he said at a meeting with air force officials, his website reported. "Im not saying we shouldnt have relations with them. This is about trust," he added. Britain, France and Germany last week launched a special payment mechanism called INSTEX to help save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. It would allow Tehran to keep trading with EU companies in spite of US sanctions renewed after Washington quit the accord last year. Tehran has cautiously welcomed INSTEX as a "first step", but US officials said the new entity would not have any impact on efforts to exert economic pressure on Iran. Khamenei also accused Europe of hypocrisy over human rights, criticising Frances treatment of protesters in Paris. "They (anti-riot police) attack protesters in Paris streets and blind them, then they have the audacity to make human rights requests of us," he said. Turning to the United States, Khamenei said Iranians would chant "death to America" as long as Washington kept up its hostile policies, but the slogan was not directed at the American people. "Death to America means death to (President Donald) Trump, (National Security Advisor) John Bolton and (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo. It means death to Americas rulers ... we have nothing against the American people," he said.

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