UN chief calls on Iran to stop conducting missile launches

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls on Iran to stop conducting ballistic missile launches.

United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Iran to stop conducting ballistic missile launches, saying they aren't in the spirit of last summer's nuclear deal with six major powers.

Ban said in a report to the UN Security Council on the implementation of a resolution endorsing the landmark deal to rein in Iran's nuclear program that the missile tests could increase tensions in the Mideast.

The Associated Press obtained key excerpts from the report on Friday.

The resolution calls for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. But when Iranian test-firings were raised in the council in March, Russia said the launches did not violate the resolution because "a call" is not a demand.

Ban said it was up to the council to interpret the resolution.