Missile tests aim protecting Iran’s security, national interests, says official

Young journalists club

News ID: 7526
Iran » Iran
Publish Date: 20:29 - 31 January 2017
Iran reiterated that making remarks on its missile tests are beyond qualification of any country or international organization.
Missile tests aim protecting Iran’s security, national interests, says official "Missile tests are inherent and irrefutable right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to defend its security and national interests. Making comments about them are beyond qualification of any country or international organization,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi.

"I reiterate that any ballistic missile test by the Islamic Republic of Iran completely goes with certain rights and international commitments of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The official reiterated that Iran’s missile programs are merely for defense purposes, none of which has been designed for carrying missile warhead. "Iran does not take permission from anyone to defend itself,” he said.

Qassemi continued that Iran’s ballistic missiles do not run counter to Resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231 was adopted on July 20, 2015 to endorse a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Under the resolution, Iran is "called upon” not to undertake any activity related to missiles "designed to be capable of” delivering nuclear weapons. Iran says it is not involved in any such missile work and has no such warheads.

In similar remarks earlier Tuesday, Iran’s foreign minister cautioned the United States against politicizing the Islamic Republic’s legitimate efforts at reinforcing its defense capabilities.

"We hope that the issue of Iran’s defense program… does not turn into a pretext for political games,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a joint press conference with his visiting French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Tehran on Tuesday.

Zarif referred to the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile tests — which the country regularly undertakes to boost its defensive prowess — and said the issue of the tests "falls outside [the framework of the UN Security Council’s] Resolution 2231.”

Resolution 2231 was adopted on July 20, 2015 to endorse a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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