The U.S. State Department says a rocket launched by North Korea is a provocative act and a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718.

Washington confirmed Sunday that Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket at 11:30 a.m., blasting it for defying repeated U.S. calls to drop the plan.

Department spokesman Fred Lash said the launch will prompt appropriate U.S. steps to let the North know that it cannot threaten the safety and security of other countries with impunity, hinting at Washington's push for sanctions with the Security Council.