July 7, 2016 | The Jerusalem Post

Germany’s Merkel says Iran violating UN missile regulations

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated on Thursday that Iran has run afoul of UN Security Council regulations to stop its illicit military rocket program. Her comments follow a startling report from Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, which stated  in its late June report that Iran has continued to seek  illegal nuclear technology.

Chancellor Angel Merkel said in the Bundestag Iran “continued unabated  to develop its rocket program in conflict with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council.”

Merkel said that NATO's  anti-missile system targets Iran's rocket program and was “developed purely for defense.”

A defensive missile shield is in place in Romania and a second shield is set to be deployed in Poland. The NATO
anti-rocket systems have created tensions with Russia's leader Vladimir Putin.

Germany's  intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said in the report, that Iran's ” illegal proliferation-sensitive procurement activities in Germany registered by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution persisted in 2015 at what is, even by international standards, a quantitatively high level. This holds true in particular with regard to items which can be used in the field of nuclear technology.”

The report noted “a further increase in the already considerable procurement efforts in connection with Iran's ambitious missile technology program which could, among other things, potentially serve to deliver nuclear weapons. Against this backdrop it is safe to expect that Iran will continue it sensitive procurement activities in Germany using clandestine methods to achieve its objectives.”

Benjamin Weinthal is a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow him on Twitter @BenWeinthal.  

Issues:

Iran