Roundup: 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.

"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.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 1929, Iran is prohibited from working on ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

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 aimed at curbing its defense capabilities.

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

"Gone is the era of spreading Iranophobia and resorting to false pretexts to portray Iran as a threat," Jaber Ansari said, adding that Tehran's defense capabilities are a key factor in restoring stability and security to the region that is currently facing a critical condition.

The Iranian missile program "is totally for peaceful purposes and no measure can strip the Islamic republic of its legitimate and legal right to boost its defensive capabilities and (safeguard) national security," he was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Iran's missile program was solely for protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as combating terrorism and extremism, he said, emphasizing that the country's military might serves regional and global interests.

"Instead of measures that only lead to instability in the region and the world, the U.S. government needs to (respond to) serious security demands in western Asia, including nuclear disarmament of the Zionist regime (of Israel), ending crimes and warmongering by the U.S. allies in Syria and Yemen, and engaging in a sincere campaign against the militants of the Islamic State (IS)," the Iranian spokesman said.

On Monday, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC's) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh declared that Iran would continue enhancing its defense capabilities including missile efficiency.

Enemies sought to undermine Iran's defense and missile capability, however, development of the country's defense power had not stopped for a single day in the last three decades, Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Enhancing Iran's defense and missile power was an enemy deterrent protecting Iran from any potential attack, he said.

The IRGC commander downplayed the recent sanctions by the United States towards some Iranian entities, deeming them "futile." Endit