Russia questions US claims over Iran missile test

Russia's UN envoy on Thursday questioned US and European claims that Iran's recent missile test violated UN resolutions, saying the test-launch should not be treated as a "sensational" issue.

 Britain, France, Germany and the United States on Wednesday asked a UN Security Council sanctions committee to investigate the October 10 test-launch of a medium-range missile, calling it a serious violation.

 But Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin indicated that Moscow had made no such determination.

 "I think we need to be very careful about these things," Churkin told reporters.

 "We need to look into technical details and then of course take into account the political circumstances," he added.

 "One has to be professional about it. It's not a sensational kind of issue."

 US Ambassador Samantha Power told the council that the medium-range ballistic missile was capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

 Power called it a "provocative launch" and said the "United States considers it to be a serious matter" that undermines regional stability.

 The four countries presented a report to the sanctions committee making the case that the missile test was a "serious violation" and requesting "appropriate action", according to a joint letter.

 The request to the committee marks a first step toward possible sanctions, although such a decision would require agreement from China and Russia.

 Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi also declined to endorse the US and European view that the missile test violated UN resolutions.

 "We are looking at this.  We will discuss it at the council," said Liu.

 The four countries took part along with China and Russia in successful negotiations to reach a historic deal with Iran in July that calls for lifting sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.

 They maintain that the missile test violates Security Council resolution 1929, which was adopted in 2010.

 That resolution prohibits Tehran from conducting launches of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

 Iran on Saturday denied that the missile launch was in violation of UN resolutions, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif saying that it was not designed to carry nuclear warheads.

 Iran insists it has no plans to develop atomic weapons.