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Iran's leader defends IRGC's missile program

Xinhua, March 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday supported the missile program of the country held up by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

"If the Islamic republic relies only on dialogue, economy, technology and science but does not think about its defense power, it is possible even for the weak nations to threaten the Iranians," Khamenei was quoted as saying by his official website.

"Those who argue that the future of the country lies in negotiations with the world not in developing the missile program, are either ignorant or traitors," Khamenei said, stressing that the future of the country requires empowerment in all areas.

The Islamic republic should equip itself with military might and diplomacy so that it cannot be cheated, he said.

In the meantime, the showcase of IRGC's advanced and precise missiles pleases the nations who have suffered the U.S. and Israel atrocities, he added.

The White House has criticized Iran's missile program as a threat to the regional and international peace.

Last Thursday, two Iranian companies and a few Iranian individuals were blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department following IRGC's recent ballistic missiles tests.

Accordingly, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said Thursday that Iran would enhance its missile power despite new U.S. sanctions aimed at curbing its defense capabilities.

In line with a decree by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the Islamic republic will respond to any "meddlesome U.S. measure" against its defense program by boosting the country's missile might, Jaber Ansari said in response to fresh U.S. embargo on two Iranian firms allegedly linked to Iran's ballistic missile program. Endit