Spokesman Hits Back at US over Claims on Iran’s Missile Program
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi dismissed recent claims by some US officials about the Islamic Republic’s missile program as baseless and meddlesome.
By raising such claims and interfering in Iran’s internal affairs, the US is seeking to cover up its strategic mistake to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Qassemi told ISNA on Friday.
He further emphasized that the US meddling in Iran’s affairs has its roots in Washington’s frustration and is aimed at making up for its “consecutive” defeats and wrong policies on Tehran over the past four decades.
The spokesman was referring to recent remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who claimed that Iran’s latest missile launch proved that the JCPOA is doing nothing to stop Tehran's missile program and called for tougher international restrictions on Iran.
Pompeo accused Iran of defying the UN Security Council as the country advances its ballistic missile capabilities, referring to UNSC Resolution 2231.
Resolution 2231 calls upon Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
Iran insists that none of the country’s missiles have been designed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads, because nuclear weapons have basically no place in the country’s defense doctrine.
On Thursday, Iran unveiled an underground precision ballistic missiles plant belonging to the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
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.