Iran’s Missile Program Not Negotiable: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi reiterated the country’s policy to boost its deterrence power and said in line with efforts to protect national security, the Islamic Republic will never negotiate over its missile program.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Qassemi pointed to recent comments made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian over Iran’s ballistic missiles and said Tehran has made an immediate and proper response to the remarks.
“Our policy on missiles is clear and the issue as part of our country’s defense sector cannot be negotiated,” he said.
The missile program is in line with efforts to protect the country’s security, Qassemi said, adding that Iran does not want to repeat the experience of (facing difficulties in acquiring weapons needed for defense during) the Iraqi imposed war in the 1980s.
His comments came after Le Drian said France is ready to impose further sanctions on Iran if no progress is made in talks over Tehran’s ballistic missile program. “We are ready, if the talks don’t yield results, to apply sanctions firmly, and they know it.”
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 2018, 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.
