“The Islamic Republic of Iran recently conducted a series of ballistic missile tests and may be planning others.  While these tests do not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), they do violate a separate United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR), and I strongly condemn Iran’s actions.

As we weigh options to appropriately respond to Iran’s violations, we must be mindful of the broader context of Iran’s internal political dynamic and that more reform-minded candidates who supported the JCPOA made gains in Iran’s recent elections—to the displeasure of Iran’s hardliners.

“I recognize that the path forward with Iran will see challenging and uncertain times.  We must also recognize that millions of Iranians support the JCPOA, further integration, and a brighter, more hopeful future for their country.  We call again on Iran’s leaders to give their people the freedom they so clearly desire and to immediately cease provocative actions, including, but not limited to, their ongoing state sponsorship of terror and missile tests that clearly violate United Nations resolutions.”