TEHRAN (FNA)- Lieutenant Commander of Basij (volunteer) Force Brigadier General Ali Fazli condemned the western officials' demand for an inspection of Iran's missile program, saying that the West is not entitled to interfere in Irans internal affairs.The US and the West are not allowed and shouldnt feel entitled to the right to interfere in our domestic affairs, that is to say the West has no right to meddle in our internal issues, Fazli said on Sunday.
Stressing Irans natural right to defend itself with the highest level of preparedness and most advanced equipment and weapons, he said the country will certainly increase its readiness to confront any possible aggressor more powerfully and spiritedly than the past.
Asked about certain western officials claims against Irans missile program, Fazli said, We have also heard the news from the media that the missile-related issues have been raised in the negotiations (between Iran and the world powers) but we announce that no one is entitled to interfere in our affairs in the field of missile technology.
Addressing a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) on the nuclear deal with Iran in February, US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman promised that Irans ballistic missile work would be addressed at a later time in a final agreement. We see this as a first step, she said. We dont consider the gaps that exist loopholes because this is not a final agreement. This is a first step.
In response, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi, who is also a senior negotiator in the talks with the six world powers, stressed, The defense-related issues are a red line for Iran."
We will not allow such issues to be discussed in future talks, he said.
In November, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami said Iran is among the first three states having access to indigenous ballistic missile technology.
Many countries may have access to cruise missiles technology, but when it comes to ballistic missiles, I am confident that only the US and the (former) Soviet Union could master this technology, and now we can announce that we own this technology as well, General Salami told FNA.
He pointed to Irans capabilities in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and said, While we did not have any knowledge about drones, we have developed and acquire drones that travel 2,000 kilometers, conduct their operations and then land in our desirable regions.
In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in the defense sector and gained self-sufficiency in essential military hardware and defense systems.
The country has repeatedly made it clear that its military might is merely based on the state's defense doctrine of deterrence and that it poses no threat to other countries.
By Fars News Agency
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