Iran continues to develop offensive nuclear-capable missiles

From Israel Hayom, 10 March 2016:

...Iran test-fired ballistic missiles designed to be able to hit Israel ...a "blatant violation" of the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and Western powers last July.

In a photo provided by Iran's Fars News Agency Wednesday, a Qadr H long-range missile is seen being fired by Iran's Revolutionary Guards

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Photo credit: AP

In a photo provided by Iran's Fars News Agency Wednesday, a Qadr H long-range missile is seen being fired by Iran's Revolutionary Guards | Photo credit: AP

According to Iran's state media, the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps test-fired several ballistic missiles on Tuesday and Wednesday. Iranian state television showed footage of two Qadr missiles being launched from northern Iran, which the IRGC said hit targets 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) away.

In the statement, the [Israel] Foreign Ministry said that

"U.N. Resolution 2231 restricts Iran from launching missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, and that is precisely the kind of missiles that Iran launched. ...Iran is making a mockery of the international community's demands and continues to develop its attack capabilities. It appears that [Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad] Zarif's and [Iranian President Hassan] Rouhani's diplomatic charm offensive was nothing more than a smokescreen, designed to conceal the ayatollah regime's true intentions."

... Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a senior IRGC commander, [on Iran state television]...

"Iran's missile program will not stop under any circumstances. The IRGC has never accepted the U.N. Security Council resolutions on Iran's missile work. We are always ready to defend the country against any aggressor. Iran will not turn into Yemen, Iraq or Syria. The more sanctions and pressure our enemies apply ... the more we will develop our missile program..."...

On Wednesday, U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton called for sanctions against Iran over the ballistic missile test.

Clinton, a former secretary of state under President Barack Obama, said she was "deeply concerned" by the tests. "Iran should face sanctions for these activities and the international community must demonstrate that Iran's threats toward Israel will not be tolerated," said Clinton, who is ahead in the race to be the Democratic nominee at the Nov. 8 presidential elections.

Her call for sanctions reflected a tougher line against Iran's recent missile activity than that taken so far by the White House, which said it is aware of and reviewing reports of the Iranian tests, and would determine an appropriate response.

"We know that Iran is in a season of carrying out a number of military activities, and so it certainly would not be a surprise if there are additional launches over the next several days," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

The Iranian move on Wednesday came despite warning from the U.S. State Department after Tuesday's missile tests that Washington continues to "aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran's missile program," a possible reference to additional U.S. sanctions.

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, who was visiting Israel on Wednesday, declared that "we will act," if Iran breaks the terms of the nuclear deal.

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on Wednesday with Iran's foreign minister about the test-firing of two ballistic missiles, a State Department spokesman said.

"The secretary did raise his concerns today with Foreign Minister Zarif," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a daily briefing.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon told Israel Radio the tests showed Iran's hostility had not changed since implementing a nuclear deal with world powers in January, despite Rouhani's overtures to the West.

"To my regret there are some in the West who are misled by the honeyed words uttered by part of the Iranian leadership while the other part continues to procure equipment and weaponry, to arm terrorist groups.." ...

Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said,

"Iran is making a mockery of President Obama's vow to confront Iran's dangerous and illicit acts." He urged Obama to "aggressively enforce all sanctions against Iran's missile programs, support for terrorism and human rights abuses. No more looking the other way."

Washington imposed sanctions against businesses and individuals in January over another missile test in October 2015. But the IRGC said it would not bow to pressure.

The IRGC maintains dozens of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, the largest stock in the Middle East...