We are concerned by Iran's announcement of its plans to conduct a series of ballistic missile tests.

This launch test campaign was presented by its leaders as "a message of peace and friendship to the countries of the region." The latter will judge the real nature of this message and the peaceful and friendly nature of these activities.

We reaffirm that UNSCR 1929 adopted in June 2010 forbids Iran from conducting "activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology." Such tests would therefore be in violation of this Security Council resolution.

These announcements only serve to increase the concerns of the international community, while Iran is simultaneously developing a nuclear program with no credible civilian purpose, in violation of six Security Council resolutions, and is stubbornly refusing to respond to the IAEA's questions with respect to militarization.

Indeed, the most recent report of the IAEA Director General, published a month ago, again highlighted the continuation of sensitive nuclear activities in Iran and stressed the lack of any cooperation by Iran with the Agency in the area of militarization. Among the issues of concern regarding which the IAEA is still waiting for clarifications, the Agency cites activities aimed at modifying the design of the missile re-entry vehicle to carry a nuclear warhead.

The simultaneous development of Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs is cause for serious concern.