Washington (December 15, 2017): Nikki Haley, the ambassador of United States to United Nations, said there are undeniable evidences about the ballistic missile, fired by Huthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia last month was Iranian-made.
Haley accused Tehran of a “blatant violation” of UN Security Council obligations designed to rein in its missile activity, further stepping up the rhetoric towards Iran which Washington accuses of going against the spirit of a historic nuclear accord.
Standing in a warehouse at a Washington military base in front of recovered pieces of two missiles, Haley said Iranian fingerprints were all over the weapons, one of which she said was fired at Riyadh´s airport on November 4.
“It was made in Iran then sent to Huthi militants in Yemen,” Haley said. “From there it was fired at a civilian airport with the potential to kill hundreds of innocent civilians in Saudi Arabia.”
She charged that the 2015 nuclear deal to curb Iran´s nuclear program had “done nothing to moderate the regime´s conduct in other areas,” and accused Tehran of “fanning the flames” of regional conflict.
Haley said the missiles were Iranian Qiam-class short-range ballistic rockets and pointed to valves that she said proved their origin. The Qiam-1 is based on a modified Scud design.
Haley showed other pieces of military material she said were provided by Iran, and after her announcement officials showed journalists pieces of an anti-tank missile, an explosive boat, drones and other gear.
“The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had ´Made in Iran´ stickers all over it,” Haley said.
Haley has called on the Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Air Force Destroys Ballistic Missile Launched From Yemen
