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Iran dismisses Kerry's missile comments

Xinhua, April 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

A senior Iranian military official dismissed on Friday the recent remarks of the U.S. Secretary of State on Iran's missile program as "impudent."

Iran's deputy joint chief of staff of the armed forces, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, called on Iran's Foreign Ministry to respond "firmly" to Kerry's calls for missile negotiations with Tehran.

On Thursday, Kerry said that the United States was open to a "new arrangement" with Iran for resolving the issues pertaining to the country's missile program.

"The missile power is non-negotiable, and for developing its defense capabilities Iran doesn't get permission from anybody," Jazayeri was quoted as saying.

Iran is following its deterrent doctrine and defensive strategy independent of the will of arrogant powers and aliens, Jazayeri said.

The country will not allow anybody to interfere in this regard and cut any hand which is intended to interfere in it, he said.

The Foreign Ministry is expected to show a timely and decisive reaction to "American impudence, especially by the U.S. secretary of state," Jazayeri added.

On March 30, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his support for the country's missile program, saying that enemies are constantly developing their military and missile might, and Iran must develop its own.

The White House is critical of Iran's missile program and considers it as 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 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, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced. Endit