Parts of UNSC Resolution Regarding Iran's Missile Program Non-Binding: Araqchi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said a Monday resolution passed by the UN Security Council has just 'called on' Iran not to work on a specific type of ballistic missiles, stressing that Tehran will do whatever necessary to safeguard its sovereignty.
Speaking in a television talk show on Monday night, Arqchi said parts of the UNSC resolution are non-binding.
The 15-memebr United Nations Security Council held a session on Monday and unanimously passed a resolution endorsing a document Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) have finalized on Tehran's nuclear energy program.
Araqchi, also a senior nuclear negotiator, emphasized that the new resolution "has called on Iran –meaning that it is non-binding- to stop activities on the ballistic missiles."
He also highlighted the distinction between the UNSC resolution and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"If the deal (JCPOA) is breached, the resolution will be as well, but the opposite is not true," Araqchi added.
He also made a reference to a statement released by Iran's Foreign Ministry after the adoption of the UNSC resolution, stressing that Iran will continue to do anything to protect its independence and sovereignty.
The 11th clause of the Foreign Ministry statement says, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to actively contribute to promotion of peace and stability in the region in the face of increasing threat of terrorism and violent extremism. Iran will continue its leading role in fighting this menace and stands ready to cooperate fully with its neighbors and the international community in dealing with this common global threat. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to take necessary measures to strengthen its defense capabilities in order to protect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity against any aggression and to counter the menace of terrorism in the region. In this context, Iranian military capabilities, including ballistic missiles, are exclusively for legitimate defense. They have not been designed for WMD capability, and are thus outside the purview or competence of the Security Council resolution and its annexes."