Pompeo warns Iran about rocket launches and gets the middle finger

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran on Thursday about three planned space rocket launches. He pointed out that this would violate U.N. Security resolution 2231, which is a resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the nuclear program of Iran. That resolution urged Iran to avoid all activities related to ballistic missiles that are ready to deliver nuclear weapons.

Pompeo said that Iran announced plans to launch Space Launch Vehicles (SLV) that utilize ballistic missile technology. So while on the surface it appears innocent, we know how sneaky some nations can be in gearing up their military strength.

Pompeo stated: 

"The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime's destructive policies place international stability and security at risk. We advise the regime to reconsider these provocative launches and cease all activities related to ballistic missiles in order to avoid deeper economic and diplomatic isolation … The United States has continuously cautioned that ballistic missile and SLV launches by the Iranian regime have a destabilizing effect on the region and beyond. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many nations from around the world have also expressed deep concern."

“Pompeo said Iran has launched ballistic missiles numerous times since the U.N. resolution was adopted. He said it test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads on Dec. 1. In July 2017, Iran launched a rocket it said could deliver a satellite into space, an act the U.S. State Department called provocative. Earlier that month, the United States slapped new economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program," Reuters reported.

Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister of Iran, responded to Pompeo on Twitter, stating the United States has no right to attack Iran’s testing of ballistic missiles, writing: 

“Iran's launch of space vehicles— & missile tests—are NOT in violation of Res 2231. The US is in material breach of same, & as such it is in no position to lecture anyone on it. Reminder to the US: 1. Res 1929 is dead; 2. threats engender threats, while civility begets civility."

Zarif’s tweet prompted Mark Dubowitz, the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to alert former Secretary of State John "Lurch" Kerry, who had championed the Iran nuclear deal. Kerry had claimed that Resolution 2231 would restrain Iran. Yeah, like hell it would.

Dubowitz tweeted: 

“So @JohnKerry. What say you to @JZarif? He thinks JCPOA gave the green light to Iran’s missile testing by ending 1929. He thinks the “calls upon” language in 2231 is a joke. You & other parties to JCPOA thought 2231 was a restraint. Who’s correct? You or Zarif?”

In August 2015, once the Iran deal was signed, Kerry bragged about what he believed was a great accomplishment.

He claimed the nuclear deal had restrained Iran, saying of his self-assumed brilliance, “And that is why we say Israel, all of the Gulf states, everybody in the region – we, the United States, who have our own security concerns – are safer with this deal than without it. Because if you don’t do this deal, folks, not only will we have walked away from our allies – Britain, France, Germany – and non-allies but interested parties – Russia, China – we will have lost the moral imperative, if you will, or high ground. We will have left Iran free to go do its program without restraints, without inspections, without knocking down its stockpile, without knowing what they’re doing.”

James Taylor agreed as he sang a tune slightly off key.

Well here we are in the start of a new year and the world still hasn't come to an end with President Trump in the White House, in spite of what the media and the left [but I repeat myself] would have you believe. 

I hope that you will  follow Brain Flushings throughout the year and feel free to comment on any issues of concern. Please subscribe and check out the sponsors on these pages too.

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