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Iran dismisses EU concerns over missile program: spokesman

Xinhua, November 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Tuesday rejected concerns posed by the European Union (EU) over its missile program, Tasnim news agency reported.

Qasemi said that Iran's defense capabilities, including missile tests, can never be subject to any negotiation,

"Iran's missile tests are conducted within the framework of the country's defense policies, and Iran's defense capabilities would by no means be negotiated or compromised on," Qasemi was quoted as saying.

His comments came in reaction to a recent statement by the Council of the European Union, which expressed "concern with the regional military build-up, including Iran's missile program."

In the statement, the EU institution urged Iran "to refrain from activities which may deepen mistrust, such as ballistic missile tests."

Qasemi said earlier that Iran's missile program is not a violation of any resolution of UN Security Council, and has nothing to do with the nuclear deal or JCPOA reached between Iran and the world powers in July last year.

Iran's missile program is solely developed for deterrence purposes to meet national security needs, and the pressures by the West will not have any impact on the country's resolve to boost its defensive capabilities, he said. Endit