President Ebrahim Raisi (2nd from L) and military commanders at the unveiling ceremony for Iran’s Fattah hypersonic ballistic missile, Tehran, June 6, 2023
European states will maintain sanctions on Iran’s regime over ballistic missiles when the provision expires on October 18.
The sanctions, enshrined in a UN resolution, are part of the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (France, Germany, UK, US, China, and Russia). Talks over the renewal of the deal, including American re-entry after the Trump’s withdrawal in 2018, have been stalled since spring 2022. Iran has breached the terms with the enrichment of 20% and then 60% uranium, raising the prospect it could produce 90% grade for nuclear weapons capability.
International Atomic Energy head Rafael Grossi said last week that monitoring of the Iranian nuclear programme is limited and fragmented. Tehran has confiscated all video tapes from IAEA monitoring of nuclear sites, and has removed some of the cameras.
EU and British diplomats also cite Iran’s transfer of hundreds of attacks drones to Russia for its Ukraine invasion, and possible future transfers of ballistic missiles.
The 2015 UN resolution called upon Iran not to develop ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons. Tehran has continued development and production, unveiling its first hypersonic missile last month.
See also US Sanctions Iranians and Chinese Over Tehran’s Ballistic Missiles
The resolution also barred anyone from buying, selling or transferring drones and their components capable of flying more than 300 km (186 miles) to or from Iran without prior authorization from the UN Security Council.
Iranians Pay Homage To Dead Protesters On Their Birthdays
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307020111
Iran oil exports on rise despite sanctions: https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14020403000563/Miniser-Iran's-Oil-Exprs-n-Rise-Despie-Sancins
“Other analysts say Iran’s production and exports have risen. SVB International, a consultant, estimates crude production hit 3.04 million bpd in May, up from 2.66 million bpd in January. Exports of crude and condensate were 1.93 million bpd in May.”
Iran’s overall crude production would be 75% where they were before 2018.
[Editor’s Note: A comment which fails to note that Iran’s recently-developed ballistic missiles may have the capability to carry nuclear warheads.]
“The 2015 UN resolution called upon Iran not to develop ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons. Tehran has continued development and production, unveiling its first hypersonic missile last month.”
The resolution did not call on Iran to halt missile development but only missiles designed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.