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Congress Fumes As Experts Say Iran Violated UN Ban By Test-Firing Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile

Tyler Durden's picture




 

On October 11, Iran test-fired a new generation of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel. 

The Emad, as the long-range weapon is called, is a variant of Tehran’s Shahab-3, has a range of 1,700 kilometers, and is accurate to within 500 meters, according to  Anthony Cordesman, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. For those who might have missed it, here is the clip:

As we said at the time, the embarrassment for The White House in the wake of the "historic" nuclear accord continues as Iran will apparently continue to exploit any and all ambiguities to its advantage up to and including building new ballistic missle systems, an act which certainly goes against the spirit of the deal if not the letter. 

As it turns out, the Emad launch may in fact have represented more than a symbolic violation of the July nuclear accord. As Reuters reports, "Iran violated a U.N. Security Council resolution in October by test-firing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead," a team of sanctions monitors says.

As we noted at the time of the launch, the test-fire didn't technically violate the terms of the P5+1 nuclear deal, but a report from The Security Council's Panel of Experts suggests that the Emad launch "is a violation by Iran of paragraph 9 of Security Council resolution 1929." 

This puts the Obama administration in a decisively precarious position. Congress is now calling for more sanctions but hitting Tehran with further punitive measures risks derailing the deal altogether. "If Washington failed to call for sanctions over the Emad launch, it would likely be perceived as weakness," For his part, Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Coons (who supported the nuclear deal) said that in the absence of Security Council action, the US should impose direct sanctions on those responsible for the missile tests.

Indeed, attemps by the Security Council to expand the Iran blacklist would likely run into stiff opposition from Russia and China. 

Ultimately, this is a dispute about nukes versus Tehran's arsenal of missiles. As we documented extensively in "Inside Iran's Secret Underground Missile Tunnels," Iran has the largest ballistic missile cache in the Mid-East. Here's a rundown courtesy of The US Institute of Peace:

  • Shahab missiles: Since the late 1980s, Iran has purchased additional short- and medium-range missiles from foreign suppliers and adapted them to its strategic needs. The Shahabs, Persian for “meteors,” were long the core of Iran’s program. They use liquid fuel, which involves a time-consuming launch. They include:
  • The Shahab-1 is based on the Scud-B. (The Scud series was originally developed by the Soviet Union). It has a range of about 300 kms or 185 miles
  • The Shahab-2 is based on the Scud-C. It has a range of about 500 kms, or 310 miles. In mid-2010, Iran is widely estimated to have between 200 and 300 Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles capable of reaching targets in neighboring countries.
  • The Shahab-3 is based on the Nodong, which is a North Korean missile. It has a range of about 900 km or 560 miles. It has a nominal payload of 1,000 kg. A modified version of the Shahab-3, renamed the Ghadr-1, began flight tests in 2004. It theoretically extends Iran’s reach to about 1,600 km or 1,000 miles, which qualifies as a medium-range missile. But it carries a smaller, 750-kg warhead.
  • Although the Ghadr-1 was built with key North Korean components, Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani boasted at the time, “Today, by relying on our defense industry capabilities, we have been able to increase our deterrent capacity against the military expansion of our enemies.”
  • Sajjil missiles: Sajjil means “baked clay” in Persian. These are a class of medium-range missiles that use solid fuel, which offer many strategic advantages. They are less vulnerable to preemption because the launch requires shorter preparation – minutes rather than hours. Iran is the only country to have developed missiles of this range without first having developed nuclear weapons.

While Iran vigorously denies that its scientists have pursued a nuclear weapon, Tehran has made it abundantly clear that it will continue to pursue its missile program unimpeded. As Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said on the heels of the Emad launch, "...we don’t ask anyone’s permission to enhance our defense power or missile capability and will firmly pursue our defense plans, particularly in the field of missiles."

Although a new IAEA report clearly suggests that Iran pursued a nuclear bomb at least until 2003, the Agency's Board of Governors passed a resolution on Tuesday to close its investigation into the history of Tehran's nuclear program. "The decision by the Board of Governors will open a new chapter for cooperation between Iran and the agency," Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi said on Tuesday. 

Others aren't so sure. "Iran's cooperation was certainly not sufficient to close the overall PMD file," Reuters quotes the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, as saying.

So ultimately, this is just a game of cat and mouse between Tehran and the Western powers - as clear cut as the question might seem (i.e. "are you developing a nuclear bomb or aren't you?"), the Emad launch suggests that implementing the nuclear deal may prove to be nothing short of impossible. For instance, it's nothing short of absurd that Congress is now debating whether to slap Iran with more sanctions in connection with the missile launch less than a month before existing sanctions are set to be lifted. 

At the end of the day, perhaps the US should consider whether Washington's relationship with Tehran needs to be fundamentally rexamined, and on that note, we close with what we said in October: 

"...imposing crippling economic sanctions on countries in order to deter their defense buildup (Iran) or otherwise force them into acting in a way that fits your definition of being an internationally responsible country (Russia) is a fool's errand to the extent that it only serves to aggravate the situation and perpetuates still more of the very same behavior you're trying to deter in the first place. Need proof? See the video shown above."

 

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Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:38 | 6933258 Truther
Truther's picture

Checkmate.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:54 | 6933336 Stainless Steel Rat
Stainless Steel Rat's picture

In a related story, Iran also has acquired SUVs capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:10 | 6933412 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Supplied by a Texas plumber. Damned Texans!

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:41 | 6933521 Tarshatha
Tarshatha's picture

Boo fning hoo,

Israel has some 200 nukes and there the biggest terrorists the world has ever seen.

Good for Iran.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:07 | 6933609 Government need...
Government needs you to pay taxes's picture

It's the UN.  The same organization that mailed itself kilos of cocaine to its NYC-based pleasure palace, sold embargoed oil, and whose troopahs like a good mass rape whereever they are deployed.

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 01:42 | 6933920 NidStyles
NidStyles's picture

The missile isn't illegal, I don't get why this is abig deal.

 

So Iran is learning how to build space capable missiles, so what? They aren't pushing to invade half of the middle-east like the Jew lobby...

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 06:42 | 6934173 General Decline
General Decline's picture

So, the west has a history of "finding" contraband in any country they want to invade. Does anybody really think that Iran is stupid enough to give the psychopaths any reason to attack?

These type of stories are getting very tiresome.

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 14:38 | 6936020 Pew Pew Pew
Pew Pew Pew's picture

Sanctions / Schmanctions.

 

Iran doesn't need the approval of the damned U. S. of A. now that it has developed a cozy relationship with Russia.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:34 | 6933493 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Happy Hanukkah!

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:41 | 6933269 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 Fuck Congress/ They're the same assholes that created the problem, in the first place! Bitchez

 Hows that Senator Corker investigation working out?

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:46 | 6933299 Truther
Truther's picture

I'm skeerrrrred. Iran is going to eat my dog.

The folks running the UN show (including U.S), are nothing but fucktards.

Iran has not invaded a single country for over 200 years. Now let me see what the USSA did. hmmmm, never mind.

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:13 | 6933786 onmail1
onmail1's picture

<--- Satan America & west is a$$ raping the whole world

& looting their gold

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:46 | 6933300 SgtShaftoe
SgtShaftoe's picture

Oh fuck you Washington.  I'd have far more trust with the Iranians maintaining control over the US nuclear arsenal than these idiots in DC and certainly more trust than the fucktards like Chris Krusty-ass.  Iran hasn't invaded or outright attacked anyone in well over 200 years.  

We have narcissistic psychopaths bent on shaping the world to their agenda no matter the cost.  That's going to end well right?

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:53 | 6933322 CheapBastard
CheapBastard's picture

The Iranian 'el duche' has issued his own Executive 'Fuck USA' Order and is enabling their nukes I suspect. I read their Supreme leader ran on a sort of familiar platform of, "Change you can beleeve in," if you elected him.

 

... and he got elected!

Amazin, how stupid those Persians are to fall for a line like that!

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:55 | 6933855 adeptish
adeptish's picture

Persians are not stupid, stupid.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:47 | 6933303 JustObserving
JustObserving's picture

US has 7200 nuclear weapons and Israel has about 100 at least.

So where is the threat from Iran now that it has surrendered all rights to enrichment?

It's another Neocon play to bring more conflict and war to the Middle East

"Iran violated a U.N. Security Council resolution in October by test-firing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead,"

How many UN resolutions has Israel violated?

Rogue State: Israeli Violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions

http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2010/01/27/rogue-state-israeli-viola...

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:55 | 6933340 WillyGroper
WillyGroper's picture

Does that number include the ones that went missing under surveillance murika?

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:17 | 6933433 SgtShaftoe
SgtShaftoe's picture

Those were "off the books", down the memory hole. 

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:48 | 6933306 Ms No
Ms No's picture

That missle may be a great deterrent.  How far is Israel from there again?

Apparently, Turkey has broken laws by providing ISIS quarter in the  transport of chemical weapons, if they didn't provide the weapons themselves at some point.

Turkish MP faces treason charges after telling RT ISIS used Turkey for transiting sarin https://www.rt.com/news/326084-erdem-rt-interview-treason/

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:49 | 6933310 lex parsimoniae
lex parsimoniae's picture

and who is surprised by this?

apparently just the feckless asshats in congress.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:51 | 6933317 grunk
grunk's picture

Good thing we made that deal w/Iran.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:59 | 6933360 nmewn
nmewn's picture

It was a close one but our boi Kerry pulled it out. Which they thought was kinda Foward! but they all smiled ;-)

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:25 | 6933649 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 I'll give credit, where credit is due. Jeb Bush is a fucking retard poser!

Jeb BUSH. He's a fucking scab on the ass of society!

 Marco Rubio is a child, and extremely naive.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:32 | 6933687 Never One Roach
Never One Roach's picture

Kerry pulled out conducting what some call a, "nucleus interruptus."

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:42 | 6933718 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 I agree. He interrupted a pattern, and used some whimsical memory, to make things work.

 He should pay MOAR attention to his wife and Boat taxes.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:52 | 6933324 A Lunatic
A Lunatic's picture

When does Congress start fuming over backdoor budgets, secret trade deals, border security and the general health and welfare of America. HMMMMMMMM.....??????

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:55 | 6933342 CHoward
CHoward's picture

Go ahead and fold Obama, you embarrasing fucking bitch!

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:56 | 6933345 nmewn
nmewn's picture

So I guess they're gonna quit executing homos and just strap them to BALLISTIC missiles and send them over here or what?

Wait a minute, I need to see if my CAIR membership is still paid in full before TSHTF ;-)

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 21:58 | 6933356 Soul Glow
Soul Glow's picture

US G looking for any excuse to staet WWIII.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:02 | 6933374 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

And yet We still never see any missles hit Israel. Maybe some rocks thrown by teenagers . But not any missles.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:08 | 6933403 . . . _ _ _ . . .
. . . _ _ _ . . .'s picture

“The Agency assesses that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place after 2003.

The Agency also assesses that these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities.

The Agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009. Nor has the Agency found any credible indications of the diversion of nuclear material in connection with the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.”

https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/iaea-board-adopts-landmark-resoluti...

 

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:42 | 6933411 Salsipuedes
Salsipuedes's picture

Death of an American (A Dramedy)

WEAKNESS IS THE ENEMY! WEAKNESS! (Runs around in circles pulling his thinning hair out)... PUMP IRON! PUMP IRON! (drops to the floor pumps out a push-up, jumps up and says) STRONG! HOLLYWOOD STRONG! NO OBSTACLES! (sprints and slams directly into the east wall, falls flat on his bald spot, and with excruciating effort proclaims from the abiding comfort of the Afghan Rug) "Did Walter White die this way?" 

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:19 | 6933438 A Lunatic
A Lunatic's picture

I hear Iran and the Russians are working on a super top secret deal with Gucci to produce a line of nuclear capable briefcases.....

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:31 | 6933487 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 It's futile, to use/compare scientific knowledge, in an cognitive way, until some some bankers are JAILED!

 Glen Beck is delusional.  Glen Beck is the ,"Barbara Striesand" of conservatism...  Whiney Pussies?

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:43 | 6933532 Lumberjack
Lumberjack's picture

Nail gun capable ICBM's

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:45 | 6933577 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 Whiney Pussy comes to mind.

 Glen Beck is a clown, using GOD as an scapegoat.

 I believe in God.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:44 | 6933535 Lumberjack
Lumberjack's picture

dup

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 22:42 | 6933525 JGREEN7175
JGREEN7175's picture

Fuming is what they do best, and they are toxic if inhaled

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:06 | 6933604 SirBarksAlot
SirBarksAlot's picture

Who gives a rat's ass?

Maybe our congress should do us all a favor and just move to Israel.

 

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:32 | 6933684 JailBanksters
JailBanksters's picture

You "could" make any missile Nuclear Capable

I'm sure there's enough space to put a Suitcase.

 

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:37 | 6933702 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 It's time for charts.

 Any ideas?

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 23:41 | 6933716 besnook
besnook's picture

fuck israel. the world needs to be armed against those wackos, not just the iranians.

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:02 | 6933764 SweetDoug
SweetDoug's picture

'
'
'
'
The threat from Iran is not the nuclear threat but the EMP potential from just one warhead detonated 20 miles up over Europe or the coast of NA.

It's lights out and 10, 000 BC in a moment.

•?•
V-V

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:03 | 6933766 SweetDoug
SweetDoug's picture

'
'
'
'
'
'
Maybe the UN and the US will really start wagging their finger in a manner that shows they REALLY mean it the next time!

•?•
V-V

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 00:10 | 6933778 onmail1
onmail1's picture

Those who dont have nuclear weapons 

they wil be swallowed by west

(just like Gaddafi of Libya, Saddam of Iraq, Assad of Syria....)

have nuclear weapons to protect yourself from evil west

or join a coalition with Russia

otherwise the developing & poor countries are at risk

THE TIME IS NOW

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 02:54 | 6933888 joego1
joego1's picture

    Get your Iranium AR 232 glow in the dark assault weapon at the Turkish arms bazaar now! New and improved! Glass those Shites! And don't forget "It's a Shabob"

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 02:32 | 6933878 joego1
    joego1's picture

    Chuck Fumar is fuming again, pew! They stink all the time and now they stink more! Whats new?

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 01:17 | 6933883 joego1
    joego1's picture

    Who is going to lob a dirty bomb next? Oh, I forgot, Fuckyoushima already lobbed a GE designed "it could have happened to anyone" dirty bomb on the west coast. Please excuse my posts as I'm suffering from non existent radiation exposure. The goverment said it wasn't so.

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 03:12 | 6934005 kaboomnomic
    kaboomnomic's picture

    Err.. why US fuming about rockets from Von Brauns V2 era? That Iran's shahab3 based on this rockets.

    http://www.russianspaceweb.com/r17.html

     

    1.700 km's? that's like peanuts in rocket terms. Controls is by using Graphites Vanes (todays rockets you gimballs the rockets nozzles. Or injecting gas/liquids for steerings. Graphites vanes is  soooooo 50's techs dudes).

     

    The gyro's controls system highly probable to use MECHANICAL's gyros. NOT the ring lasers type (they are too expensive to be used for DUMB rockets).

     

    Again, why the heck US angry over NOTHING? A patriots missiles already capable to hits this Mach-7 rockets.

     

    Doesn't makes any sense...

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 04:54 | 6934082 squid
    squid's picture

    So, correct me if I have this wrong....

    The USA gets to build any type of rockets/missiles it wants, but Iran has to "ask" permission to build rockets and missiles.

     

    Did I get that right?

     

    And all Iran needs to have to be able to do anything it wants WITHOUT permission is a nuclear bomb like say Isreal, India, Pakistan, China, Russia, UK, France and the USA have?

     

    Did I also get that right?

     

    And what is it that America wanted again? Its was for Iran NOT to have a nuclear bomb.....wasn't it? I'm all mixed up now.

     

    Squid

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 05:08 | 6934091 Johnny Horscaulk
    Johnny Horscaulk's picture

    What a bunch of neocon horseshit.

    Is Bill Kristol writing for zh now?

    I get enough neocon spin from... The entire msm.

    Iran has had long range missiles, still no nuke program, if they were determined to kill all the joos and meet allah they could throw all they have at dimona and wait to be turned to glass.

    Because Israel HAS NUKES and has been developing missiles that can reach thousands of miles. And suitcase nukes.

    And they did 9/11 with inside help.

    http://www.voltairenet.org/article179295.html
    http://youtu.be/QphxGBXiA-M

    This bullshit is more zionist, hypocritical warmongering nonsense.

    Wake me when Israel allows inspections or signs the npt and stops bombing schools and hospitals and bulldozing homes and letting jews from Brooklyn run riot in "Judea".

    The israel just wants peace shtick is mot convincing anyone not blinded by Jewish Supremacism, Zionazism, or hoping Jeebus will rapture them.

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 05:33 | 6934108 Vex
    Vex's picture

    Congress has the tip of the missile firmly lodged in it's rectum as a reward for their deserved behaviour. We can onl hope it explodes in the best interests of humanity.

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 05:49 | 6934122 Vex
    Vex's picture

    do us all a favor and ride the warhead congress. Who do you represent anyway? Certainly not americans you pieces of shit

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 05:49 | 6934123 Vex
    Vex's picture

    do us all a favor and ride the warhead congress. Who do you represent anyway? Certainly not americans you pieces of shit

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 06:09 | 6934142 danepol
    danepol's picture

    Time to purge this site of the Jew-haters. They are ruining it for rest of us. 

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 07:58 | 6934261 TradingTroll
    TradingTroll's picture

    You have the wrong website. Please see iluvlloydblankfein.com

     

    Thu, 12/17/2015 - 08:32 | 6934355 Hannibal
    Hannibal's picture

    Self defense is a birth right.

    Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!