Under the 2010 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 Iran is prohibited from undertaking "any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology". After the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was signed in July 2015, there have been a series of missile tests performed by Iran:
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After the March 2016 test firing, the U.S. asked the UN Security Council to discuss the tests. US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said the tests were provocative and destabilizing. At least one missile had "ישראל צריכה להמחק מעל פני האדמה" ("Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth") written on them in Hebrew. Sources differ on whether the tests violate Security Council resolutions.
On 29 March 2016, the US, Britain, France, and Germany wrote a joint letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon accusing Iran of "defying" Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the July 2015 deal. The letter said the missiles were "inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons". However, it stopped short of saying the tests were illegal. Resolution 2231 calls for Iran to refrain from activity related to nuclear-capable missiles, but according to diplomats the language is not legally binding and cannot be enforced with punitive measures.
After the 29 January 2017 missile test by Iran, on 3 February, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran′s 25 individuals and entities, which it said were but "initial steps", with Trump′s National Security Advisor Michael T. Flynn adding that ″the days of turning a blind eye to Iran’s hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over.″