Iran violated a United Nations Security Council resolution in October when it test launched a medium-range Emad rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, U.N. experts concluded in a new report seen by Reuters.
"On the basis of its analysis and finding, the panel concludes that Emad launch is a violation by Iran of paragraph 9 of Security Council resolution 1929," the 11-page report said.
The resolution was adopted in 2010 and prohibits Tehran from launching ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
Iran and six world powers reached a landmark nuclear deal on July 14, and the Security Council gave its endorsement in a resolution on July 20 that also asked Iran not to test any ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, according to The Associated Press. Iran went on to test the surface-to-surface Emad rocket on Oct. 10.
The U.N. report, dated Dec. 11, says the Emad missile had a range of at least 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and up to 1,300 kilometers, a payload of at least 1000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and up to 1,400 kilograms, and it was a launch "using ballistic missile technology," according to AFP.
The panel said that missiles with a range of at least 300 kilometers and a payload of at least 500 kilograms are considered by experts to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
The U.N. report also claims that Iran violated the U.N. ballistic missile ban with launches in 2012 and 2013.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif insists that none of its missiles are designed to carry weapons of mass destruction and that it has no plans to develop such weapons.
Immediately following the Oct. 10 launch, the U.S., France, Britain and Germany asked the Security Council to take "appropriate action" against Iran, and the 15-nation council is expected to discuss the report Tuesday.
It's not clear what steps the Security Council will take, but it may decide to impose additional sanctions on Iran for violating the resolution, although China and Russia would likely block such a move.
The Obama administration said Tuesday that it would be open to imposing additional sanctions if U.S. officials deemed such measures useful, according to Reuters.
While the launches may have violated U.N. Security Council sanctions, they did not violate the nuclear deal, diplomats noted.
