Significance of Lifting of UN Curbs on Iran’s Missile Program

Amara Malik

As part of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major nations, a set of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regulations on Iran’s missile programs ended on October 18, 2023. UNSC Resolution 2231 imposed regulations on Iran, prohibiting it from engaging in any activities about ballistic missiles intended to deliver nuclear weapons. Additionally, any shipments to or from Iran requiring such missiles would need UNSC approval. A few Iranian persons and organizations involved in the missile project were also placed on a blacklist by the resolution. 

Iran applauded the lifting of the UN limits as a win for its security and sovereignty and a setback for the US and its allies, who had been putting pressure on Tehran over its missile program. “As of 18 October 2023, by UNSCR 2231, all restrictions unjustly imposed on ballistic missile-related activities and transfers to/from the Islamic Republic of Iran terminate, and Iran is no longer subject to any restriction in the context of the Security Council,” stated Saeed Khatibzadeh, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, adding to this he said that Tehran will keep developing its missile program “to defend itself against any aggression” and that Iran’s missile development is “strictly peaceful and defensive.”

Notwithstanding the US and several European nations’ announcement of more sanctions and countermeasures to thwart Iran’s missile programs, the implications of the lifting of the UN curbs may be limited. The US Treasury Department placed sanctions on 11 people, eight organizations, and one ship that are headquartered in Iran, Hong Kong, China, and Venezuela and that are supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activities on the same day that the UN limitations ended. In addition, the US State Department imposed sanctions on four Russian companies for selling drones to Iran, as well as two Iranian individuals and two Iranian organizations for their roles in Iran’s missile project. Moreover, in a joint declaration, the US and 45 other nations pledged to “take all necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale, or transfer of ballistic missile-related items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology” to Iran. We mean business.

The US is currently waging a campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran, which was sparked by the withdrawal of former President Donald Trump from the nuclear agreement in 2018 and the imposition of severe unilateral sanctions on Tehran. If Iran fully complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear agreement, the Biden administration has stated that it is prepared to rejoin the accord. But since June 2021, the two sides’ talks have been at a standstill, and Iran has persisted in going outside the parameters of the agreement about its stockpile, enrichment, and research activities of uranium. Iran has been charged by the US with using its nuclear program as leverage to pressure the US and its allies into making concessions.

Iran’s missile program has also drawn the attention of the European Union (EU), which has been working to preserve the nuclear agreement and act as a mediator between the US and Iran. Restrictive measures under “the EU non-proliferation regime” were chosen to be imposed by the EU last month on some Iranian persons and businesses that were involved in the missile project. The European Union declared that it “calls upon Iran to refrain from undertaking any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons” and that it “remains deeply concerned by Iran’s ballistic missile activities.”

Iran has maintained that its missile development is non-negotiable and condemned the US and EU sanctions and measures as unlawful and illegitimate. Iran contends that it has the right to build missiles for self-defense and that they are not intended to deliver nuclear weapons. Iran further notes that, in contrast to nuclear or chemical weapons, there is no international convention or standard that prohibits or places restrictions on ballistic missiles. Iran claims that while it is open to talking with other nations on matters of regional security, it would not discuss its missile programs.

Iran confronts serious obstacles and pressure from the US and certain European nations over its missile operations, even if the easing of UN sanctions on the country’s missile development may have symbolic significance for Tehran. Because Iran supports armed organizations in nations including Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, the US and its allies see Iran’s missiles as a danger to regional stability and their interests. Additionally, the US and its allies worry that if Iran decides to pursue nuclear weapons in the future, it may utilize its missiles as a means of delivery system. Consequently, until Iran decides to restrict or halt its missile project, it intends to continue applying sanctions and other measures on it.

Iran, however, is unlikely to consent to any limitations or waivers on its missile project unless substantial advantages or assurances are offered in exchange. Iran views its missile defense system as essential to thwarting any future assaults by its opponents, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia, which possess more conventional and nuclear weapons. The missiles are also viewed by Iran as a sign of its scientific and technological might, a source of pride and dignity for the country. Iran is committed to continuing to develop its missiles and improve their payload, accuracy, and range. 

Thus, the long-running disagreement on this matter between Iran, the US, and its allies may have taken a new turn with the easing of UN curbs on Iran’s missile development. It does not, however, imply that the disagreement has been settled or that the parties are getting closer to coming to an agreement or finding a solution. Conversely, as all parties are still pursuing their objectives and interests about Iran’s missile programs, it may have raised stakes and tensions in the area. The fate of the nuclear agreement and the likelihood of communication and diplomacy between Iran, the US, and its allies will have a significant impact on how this conflict turns out.

Researcher PolicyEast.