The Defense Department is “aware of and following closely” reports that Iran has conducted ballistic missile tests, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters Tuesday. “We haven’t confirmed all aspects of what’s taken place,” Cook said, but if the reports are confirmed, the US will raise the issue at the UN Security Council. Iranian state television on Tuesday said the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had test-fired multiple ballistic missiles, reported Reuters. State Department spokesman John Kirby said that if the tests did occur, they would be a violation of UN Security Resolution 2231, not the Iran nuclear deal. “Again, if true, this development would underscore why we continue to work closely with partners around the world to slow and degrade Iran’s missile program,” said Kirby. He added, “We also continue to aggressively apply our unilateral tools to counter threats from Iran’s missile program.”
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.