Desk Report
Iran still looks to pursue in its development of ballistic missiles despite U.S. blacklisting of more Iranian companies linked to the program, stated senior Revolutionary Guards commander on Monday according to reports from Reuters. On Thursday, two Iranian companies were cut off from international finance over their connection to the missile program as the U.S. Treasury blacklisted them. “Even if they build a wall around Iran, our missile program will not stop,” Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s aerospace arm, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. “They are trying to frighten our officials with sanctions and invasion. This fear is our biggest threat,” he further added.
Further reports indicate that according to U.S. officials, Iran’s missile tests would be a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which tells Iran to refrain from “any activity” related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Washington however mentioned that a new missile test would not violate a July 2015 accord under which Iran has restricted its disputed nuclear program and got relief from U.N. along with Western financial sanctions.