Iran missile tests did not violate nuclear deal: White House

WASHINGTON: Iran´s recent ballistic missile tests did not violate the nuclear agreement with Tehran, the White House said on Tuesday, adding that it would review the launch to determine the appropriate response.

In a daily press briefing with reporters, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the White House was still reviewing whether it would be necessary to raise the issue of the tests before the United Nations Security Council.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) test-fired several ballistic missiles earlier today.

Two months ago, Washington imposed sanctions against businesses and individuals linked to Iran´s missile programme over a test of the medium-range Emad missile carried out in October 2015.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington would review the incident and, if it is confirmed, raise it in the UN Security Council and press for an "appropriate response".

A UN resolution calls on Iran not to test any missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

"We also continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran´s missile program," Toner added, in a possible reference to additional sanctions.

Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC´s aerospace arm, said sanctions would not stop Iran developing its ballistic missiles, which it regards as a cornerstone of its conventional deterrent.

"Our main enemies are imposing new sanctions on Iran to weaken our missile capabilities. But they should know that the children of the Iranian nation in the Revolutionary Guards and other armed forces refuse to bow to their excessive demands," the IRGC´s website quoted Hajizadeh as saying.