Iran after More Sophisticated Missile Program: Top General
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi unveiled plans on Thursday for an upgrade in the country’s missile program, reassuring the neighbors that such capabilities are meant only to deter the hostile moves.
“Iran’s future missile program will become more precise and stronger, and these are the deterrent weapons that pose no threat to our neighbors and friends, but are against enemies,” the top Army officer told reporters in Tehran on Thursday.
Asked about any possible resolution by the UN Security Council restricting Iran’s missile program, the general explained that Iran will not be bound to comply with those possible resolutions and the Armed Forces will not care about them.
Back on December 31, 2015, President Hassan Rouhani ordered the Defense Ministry to continue production of missiles needed by the country’s Armed Forces “more quickly and seriously”.
While the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) came into force on January 16, Iran has maintained that test of missiles is an issue relating to the defense of its territorial integrity and has nothing to do with the JCPOA.
Iran has also underscored frequently that its military might poses no threat to other countries and that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.