Flaunting Trump and U.N. resolutions, Iran claims to test new missile

State-run media in Iran released footage which purported to show the successful test fire of a new medium-range ballistic missile shortly after making its debut in public during a military parade in Tehran.

The missile, called the Khorramshahr, bears similarities to a North Korean ballistic missile called the Musudan, and is said to be able to travel over 1,250 miles while carrying a nuclear warhead. North Korea has been known to export weapons technology, and this was likely behind President Trump’s tweet on Friday night where he said: “Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have!”

The controversial “Iran Nuclear Deal” prohibits the development of nuclear weapons, but does not prevent the development of other missile systems. Previous United Nations resolutions do specifically ban Iran from developing ballistic missiles, but only on those designed solely to deliver nuclear weapons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1-pzkLjeE0

In recent weeks, Trump has ramped up his criticism of the nuclear deal, brokered by the Obama administration in 2015. Last week, he said he had reached a decision on the deal, but so far has not indicated what that decision will be. Previously, he has threatened to scrap the deal entirely. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week, Trump said the deal was “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into,” and “Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States.”

By flaunting the development and test of a new missile, Iran also challenges a recent sanctions bill signed by Trump in August, which imposes penalties for any financial institution or company that conducts business with Iran that could assist its ballistic missile program.

The Khorramshahr was previously tested earlier this year, where it flew over 600 miles before exploding.

Featured image courtesy of YouTube