France Upset over Iran’s Work on Ballistic Missiles, but Poor Drafting of Resolution Opens Loophole

As if created to justify the controversial Trump Administration’s refusal to certify Iranian compliance with the agreement between Tehran and the P1+5 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany), France is criticizing the Iranians for their work on creating ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. All agree that the intent of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 which codified the agreement negotiated primarily with the Obama administration under the guidance of then-Secretary of State John Kerry is that work on ballistic missiles should be off-limits for eight years. But in an example of ambiguity that nullifies the intent, the resolution merely “called upon” Iran to refrain from such work. Iranian officials, not surprisingly, reject the criticism, insisting that their missiles are defensive and are not intended to carry nuclear warheads. But French foreign minister Jean-Yves LeDrian told his EU colleagues in Brussels on Monday that Tehran is not “respecting” that part of Resolution 2231. LeDrian said France is speaking with Iranian officials about the matter even though Tehran insists they are doing no such thing and won’t.