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- Iran goes ahead in space tech, despite US sanctions: ISA
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- Dutch role in 2007 Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear site under scrutiny: Iraian FM Spox.
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- Iran’s Zarif leaves Tehran for Moscow
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- Japan’s Abe to meet Iran’s president to discuss easing tension in region
- Downing of US spy drone shattered war threats against Iran: Top IRGC commander
- IAEO head reports development of first ion-therapy hospital in west of Asia
- Iranian Taekwondo team wins 2019 World Cup championship
- US sanctions failed to force Iran to buckle: Report
- Crew fixing Iran oil tanker broken down in Red Sea
- As Iranians hold nerves, US seeks to scare off trade
- Leader expresses concern about Kashmir, urges India to follow fair policy toward Muslim-majority region
- Iran saffron exports down due to smuggling, government restrictions: Exporter
- Iran FM warns US against ‘serious miscalculation’ in Persian Gulf
- Iran’s resistance policy led to release of oil tanker: MP
- Iran in reverse brain drain as top students come home in rising numbers
- Iran official calls for compensation for tanker seizure
- Iran hails N Korea for standing against ‘unilateral’ US demands
- Shia Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Ghadir
- North Korea praises Iran’s anti-US struggle
- Zarif says to meet French president Friday
- Iranian court hearing case of UK oil tanker
- Over half of Japanese voters oppose joining US-led anti-Iran coalition in Persian Gulf: Poll
- IME trade ups by 21 percent in July
- Finland backs INSTEX in defiance of US
- US anti-Iran policy in high seas harms Europeans: LA Times
- Iran, China confer on Syria
- Iran, Finland share views on Persian Gulf dialogue forum: Zarif
- Iran warns US against seizure of oil tanker
- Iraq eager to benefit from Iranian Police’s experience
- Iran planning 3rd step to reduce nuclear commitments: Spokesman
- Leader grants clemency to over 1,000 Iranian inmates
- Registration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to begin in Iran on Friday
- Iran, Iraq agree to reopen Khosravi border crossing
- Iran deplores suicide attack at Kabul wedding hall
- Iran to hold int'l hand-woven carpets expo
- Zarif meets with Iran-Kuwait Friendship Group members
- Adrian Darya oil tanker not under any sanctions, says Iran envoy
- ‘Iran to stay in nuclear deal as long as its interests are met’
- India envoy happy with positive trend of trade with Iran
- Iran’s annual export of white meat tops 2.5m tons: Minister
- Iranian scientist discovers new state of matter
- Iran, Japan diplomats discuss bilateral ties
- Iran, Ansarullah, European representatives Yemen developments
- ‘Iran to become self-sufficient in producing aircraft engines'
- US issues seizure warrant for Iranian supertanker 'Grace 1'
- Neanderthal tooth unearthed near Iran’s Zagros mountain
- Iran’s Zarif due in Kuwait on Saturday
- US faces humiliating defeat after Gibraltar releases Iranian tanker: Envoy
- Spokesman rejects claim on Iran’s commitment in exchange for tanker release
- Zarif reacts to release of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar
- Israel, UAE engaged in secret talks on Iran arranged by US: Report
- US threatens visa ban as Iranian-operated tanker sets to sail from Gibraltar
- Enemies must factor Iran's global power in their calculations: IRGC's chief commander
- Trump’s administration conflicting messages to Iran baffle go-betweens: Report
- Gibraltar releases Iran-operated tanker despite US pressure
TEHRAN, September 20 - President Hassan Rouhani dismissed US criticism of Iran’s missile plan, pledging that Tehran would strengthen its defense capabilities against the backdrop of regional and global threats.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - “Our people cannot stand by idly in the face of regional threats. Iran’s missiles serve defense purposes,” he said in a meeting with US media representatives in New York.
Rouhani then added that no one can claim that “Iran should not protect itself or build its needed weapons whereas regional countries have state-of-the-art weapons.”
The Iranian nation keeps building “missiles and defensive weapons,” he said, adding “the government’s main responsibility is to protect the nation and national security.”
Rouhani also added Iran’s national defense program was being subjected to intensive debates amid a deafening silence over the weapons being used on a daily basis against innocent civilians in Yemen.
The Iranian president also referred to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with P5+1, regarded as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying that the deal has resulted in “better communication between Iran, regional states, the European Union and other countries.”
Rouhani pointed to the accusations by US President Donald Trump’s administration that Iran does not abide by the JCPOA and said, “Under this agreement, the only observatory body is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose inspectors provide reports on a quarterly basis, and no other authority is entitled to talk about Iran’s compliance or noncompliance."
“All the seven reports of the IAEA have confirmed that Iran has been fully compliant with its obligations,” he emphasized.
“If the US administration breaches its commitments, it will be responsible for all the damage,” Rouhani warned.
In his speech before the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump called the internationally-negotiated nuclear agreement with Iran an “embarrassment” to the United States.
Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.
Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
The White House faces an imminent decision on whether to certify Iran's compliance with the terms of the nuclear accord.
Rouhani meets more world leaders at UN
On the sidelines of the General Assembly session, Rouhani held separate meetings with world leaders to exchange views on issues of bilateral and global importance.
In one of the meetings, Rouhani sat down with new Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to explore ways of promoting neighborly relations in all areas, especially in the energy sector.
“We are ready to provide energy for Pakistan and we welcome Pakistani investors in this area,” the Iranian president said.
Rouhani also raised concerns about terror attacks by Pakistani-based terror groups against Iranian soil, calling on Islamabad to identify those terrorists and prevent their anti-Iran moves.
Abbasi, for his part, called for promotion of bilateral ties in all areas. He also pledged to follow up on Iran’s border security concerns, noting that the Pakistani army has already been deployed at the border to ensure security there.
Iran-Norway banking ties
In a separate meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Rouhani said there are ample opportunities for the promotion of Iran-Norway economic ties in the post-JCPOA era.
“Expansion of Tehran-Oslo banking ties will lay a solid foundation for accelerating the two countries’ economic relations,” he said.
Solberg, for her part, underlined the country’s commitment to Iran’s nuclear agreement, saying Iran and Norway can cooperate in many areas, as reports confirm that Iran has been abiding by its commitments under the JCPOA.
She pointed to her country’s resolve to make investment in Iran and noted that Oslo is trying to remove the obstacles to closer banking ties to that effect.
Belgium invites Rouhani
At another meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, Rouhani welcomed Belgian companies to invest in the Iranian market and underlined the need to provide more facilities for tourists from both countries.
Michel, fort his part, lauded the JCPOA as a great opportunity for the promotion of Iran-Belgium cooperation.
He also invited Rouhani to visit Belgium and described the visit as a “good sign” for the enhancement of Iran’s relations with the 27 EU member states.
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