Iran carried out a successful test-launching of a guided, long-range, nuclear capable ballistic surface-to-surface missile on Sunday in what some analysts said was a blatant violation of the recently concluded JCPOA agreement with the P5+1 nuclear powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) regarding its renegade nuclear program. Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan, told state media that the “Emad” (pillar in Farsi) missile was a great technological achievement which would “boost the strategic deterrence capability of our armed forces.” The missile’s estimated range of 1,700 miles puts much of the Middle East and Eastern Europe within reach. Meanwhile, the Majlis parliament approved a preliminary measure to approve the JCPOA Sunday, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif telling lawmakers “history will show that we dominated the negotiations” leading up to the agreement. Read More
