Iran Denies Report on Openness to Missile Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly denied a report that Tehran may be open to talks over its ballistic missile program, reiterating that the country’s defense plans will be never subject to negotiations.
In a statement on Friday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi dismissed a Reuters report about Iran’s openness to discussing its missile program.
Iran has repeatedly and openly announced its stance on the matter in diplomatic meetings with foreign officials, including the interviews and talks held by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his recent visit to New York, Qassemi was quoted as saying by the Foreign Ministry’s website.
A Reuters report claimed on Friday that Iran has suggested to six world powers that it may be open to talks about its ballistic missile program.
Iran has already emphasized the non-negotiability of its defensive program and stressed that it does not violate the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Qassemi added.
The spokesperson also noted that Iran believes its missile defense program is an absolute right, and Tehran would certainly continue the plan within the framework of its conventional and pre-determined defensive programs and strategies.
He finally reaffirmed that the foreign minister of Iran, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, has touched upon this case during all his private meetings and talks, as well as his interviews with the international media.
