US and Russia sharply divided over Iran missile tests

The United States is insisting that Iran's test-firing of two ballistic missiles last week was in defiance of a U.N. resolution, but Russia says the launches were not a violation.

At issue is a Security Council resolution adopted after the Iran nuclear deal was signed last year calling for Iran not to launch any ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, who raised the issue at a council meeting Monday, said the ballistic missiles "were designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons" and called the launches "dangerous, destabilizing, and provocative."

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin retorted that a "call" is not a ban and Moscow has no information that the missiles could carry nuclear weapons.

Iran denies ever seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.