Iran's FM reiterates UN resolution not banning Iranian missile program

Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-12 03:24:40|Editor: Li Xia

TEHRAN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 has not prohibited Iran's missile activities, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday.

"I can make it clear as the foreign minister that the issue of missiles has never been subject to negotiations and nothing in Resolution 2231 prohibits Iran" from developing its missile program, Zarif told Tasnim on Tuesday.

"Our defense doctrine is basically founded upon deterrence and it is defensive, not offensive," Zarif was quoted as saying.

On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed a recent ballistic missile test.

On Dec. 1, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Iran "just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile" in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

Iran's latest ballistic missile test was "significant, and we will continue to conduct our missile tests," Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division, said on Tuesday.

Iran has repeatedly emphasized that its missile program is for deterrence purposes and it will not quit its development.

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