WASHINGTON, Feb 08 (AFP): The United States (US) vowed on Thursday to remain ‘relentless’ in pressuring Iran to deter its missile programme after the Islamic Republic unveiled a new ballistic weapon days after testing a cruise missile.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), their official news agency Sepah News reported.
The move was the latest show of military might by the country as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution at a time of heightened tensions with the US.
"Iran's blatant disregard for international norms must be addressed," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement.
"We must bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile programme," he added.
"The United States will continue to be relentless in building support around the world to confront the Iranian regime's reckless ballistic missile activity, and we will continue to impose sufficient pressure on the regime so that it changes its malign behavior - including by fully implementing all of our sanctions."
Tehran reined in most of its nuclear programme under a landmark 2015 deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology.
President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear accord in May and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing the programme among its reasons.
"Iran's latest missile launch again proves the Iran deal is doing nothing to stop Iran's missile programme," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted late Thursday.
Iran and the other signatories have stuck by the 2015 agreement, although some European governments have demanded an addition to address Tehran's ballistic missile programme and its intervention in regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, UN Security Council Resolution 2231 - adopted just after the nuclear deal - calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons".
Tehran insists that its missile development programme is "purely defensive" and compliant with the resolution.
On February 11, the state has organised a march to Tehran's Azadi (freedom) Square to mark the day the monarchy was officially toppled 10 days after the triumphant return from exile of the revolution's leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
It will be a who's who of Iranian politicians and public figures, with President Hassan Rouhani expected to deliver a speech at a rally.
Iran has played up this year's anniversary as 40 is symbolic of maturity in the Islamic tradition and the age at which Prophet Mohammed received revelations from God.
A Reuters report adds: Iranians will chant "Death to America" as long as Washington continues its hostile policies, but the slogan is directed at President Donald Trump and US leaders, not the American nation, Iran's supreme leader said on Friday.
"As long as America continues its wickedness, the Iranian nation will not abandon 'Death to America'," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of Iranian Air Force officers marking the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, according to his official website.
Trump pulled out of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers last year and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, dealing a blow to the country's economy.
