U.S. MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
May 13, 2020
Statement by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on Iran’s Defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231
Today the United States called for the Security Council to meet under its 2231 Format to discuss Iran’s April 22 satellite launch. The launch represents yet another example of Iran’s relentless defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls on the regime not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons – including launches using ballistic missile technology.
This launch was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a terrorist organization responsible for decades of violence and thousands of deaths throughout the Middle East. The IRGC’s leading role in Iran’s space program puts to rest Iran’s absurd claims that its space program is solely civilian in nature. It is not.
During today’s meeting, the United States highlighted Iran’s ongoing violation of the UN arms embargo in Resolution 2231, reminding Council members that Iran continues to funnel weapons to proxy forces and terrorist groups in places like Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Bahrain. Just weeks ago, the Houthis used Iranian technology to again launch ballistic missiles and explosive drones into Saudi Arabia.
Iran’s continued violations of the Security Council’s arms embargo demands greater pressure from the Security Council, not less, and the United States will work tirelessly with a coalition of concerned nations to ensure the embargo is extended.
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