EC Secretary Calls Iran’s Missile Program Non-Negotiable
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei reiterated the country’s determination to boost its military might in the face of threats and described the Islamic Republic’s missile program as an issue not subject to negotiations.
Addressing a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday, Rezaei slammed recent anti-Iran remarks by some US officials, saying that they are not qualified to speak of world security issues.
The US created unrest wherever it went, he said, adding, “When you look at developments in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Bahrain, you will notice that the Americans created insecurity everywhere they went for negotiation.”
The Iranian official further dismissed US Secretary of State John Kerry’s remarks about Washington’s readiness to talks with Iran on its missile program.
“Neither are Iran’s missiles negotiable, nor are the Americans qualified for negotiation,” he stressed.
Kerry on Thursday said Washington was open to a “new arrangement” with Iran for peacefully resolving disputes such as Tehran’s ballistic missile tests.
Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.
In late March, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underscored the need for boosting Iran’s defense capabilities, warning that enemies are making use of every tool available to undermine the Islamic Republic.
Ayatollah Khamenei said at the time that if the Islamic establishment seeks technology and negotiations but lacks defense might, it will have to buckle in the face of any weak country posing threats.
In March, the IRGC test-fired two types of Qadr ballistic missiles during the large-scale drills, codenamed “Might of Velayat”.
The two ballistic missiles, Qadr-H and Qadr-F, were launched from the heights of East Alborz Mountains, north of Iran, and hit targets on the Makran coasts, southeast of the country.