Update: Iran's top leader defends missile program

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed on Wednesday his support for the country's missile program Wednesday.

"If Iran only relies on dialogue, economy, technology and science but does not develop its defense capability, even weak nations may threaten the country," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his official website.

"Those who argue that the country's future lies in negotiations with world powers rather than developing the missile program, are either ignorant or traitors," Khamenei said, stressing that the country's future requires development in all sectors.

"Enemies are constantly developing their military and missile might, thus how can we consider that the need for missiles is over?" he asked.

Iran must develop its military might as well as its diplomacy so that it cannot be deceived, he said.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also said Wednesday that Iran is determined to develop its defense capability.

When Iraq attacked Iran in the 1980s, had the country possessed missiles, it would not have dared to take that step, Zarif was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

Iran's defense program is solely a deterrent measure and it will only use military force for self-defense purposes, he said.

Iran's missiles are not developed to carry nuclear warheads and none of the UN accords stopped Iran from developing the missiles, he added.

The White House is critical of Iran's missile program as it considers it a threat to regional and international peace.

The U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted two Iranian companies and a few Iranian individuals last Thursday following Iran's ballistic missiles tests.

Accordingly, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hossein Jaber Ansari, said Thursday that Iran would develop its missile capability despite the new U.S. sanctions. Endit