Iran keen on expanding its missile program amid U.S. sanctions

/By AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

Iran has revealed its new underground missile base right after the reports that the United States is eyeing to impose new financial sanctions on the country over the missile testing in 2015.

Parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani visited an Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ underground missile depot, situated in mountains on January 5, Iranian media reported.

During Larijani’s visit the IRGC’s long-range Emad missiles, which’s test-firing last October has triggered a great discontent of the West, were exhibited as well.

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.

Following the test-fire, several Western sources claimed that Tehran violated the UN Security Council’s resolution 1929 by test-firing the Emad missile, which is believed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The 2010 UN resolution prohibits Iran from developing missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Ban on ballistic missile tests by Iran remains valid until a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers is implemented. Under that deal reached on July 14, most sanctions on Iran will be lifted in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Once it takes effect, Iran will still be "called upon" to refrain from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons for up to eight years.

The United States said the Emad missiles can take a nuclear warhead and violate the U.N. Security Council resolution. However, Iran rejected the claims saying it has no nuclear weapons to place on them.

U.S. officials say Washington will respond to the Emad tests with new sanctions against Iranian individuals and businesses linked to the program.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said on January 6 the department was conferring with other US agencies about imposing sanctions on Tehran for a recent ballistic missile test.

“We are fully prepared to use sanctions with respect to this most recent ballistic missile test (and) are still working through some technical issues there,” spokesman John Kirby said, according to Reuters.

Last week, the reports said the U.S. will impose financial sanctions on Iran. However, the Wall Street Journal reported after that an announcement of new U.S. sanctions delayed for an unspecified period without explanation.

The move met acute discontent of the Iranian officials. President Hassan Rouhani immediately issued an order calling on the defense ministry to expedite efforts for boosting the country’s missile power.

Reportedly, Iran has the largest and most diverse ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East. The Islamic Republic expands its missile program amid the concerns of the foreign countries and U.S. sanctions threat.

The IRGC claimed that it constructed many underground missile bases in Iranian cities, which are capable of launching various types of missiles.

For the first time, Iran released footage of an underground missile base in October last year. The base was located 500 meters below ground surface, according to media reports.

The U.S., Britain, France and Germany then called on the United Nations Security Council's Iran sanctions committee to take action over a missile test by Tehran that they said violated a U.N. ban.