FM Spox: Iran’s missile defense legitimate not against UNSC Resolution 2231

EghtesadOnline: Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Friday that Iran’s defense missile program is legitimate, in full conformity with the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 2231 and no move can deprive Iran of its legitimate rights.

News ID: ۷۴۲۱۸۰

17 June 2017

Ratification of the new law imposing sanctions on Iran’s non-nuclear activities at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee indicates their enmity which was not unlikely and proves continuation of their inborn hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Qasemi said.

According to IRNA he made the remarks while commenting on the latest anti-Iran move of the US Senate.

On June 15, the Senate voted for a legislation to impose non-nuclear sanctions on Iran for its defense missile programs. They voted 98-2 in favor of the legislation.

Bipartisan negotiations also led to the bill including expanded sanctions on Russia, in response to its intrusion into Ukraine, efforts to meddle in the 2016 election and its support for the Syrian regime.

Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky and Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, were only two 'no' votes.

“Based on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which is an international document, the US government has some commitments that should fulfill them completely and with good will,” Qasemi said adding that domestic rules and regulations of each country are not the basis for their acts towards the JCPOA therefore, he stressed, “governments cannot shirk their legal obligations resorting to their own regulations.”

He added that Iran is “closely monitoring all events related to this legislation at the US Congress and its probable endorsement by the US president.” He noted that Iran’s special committee in charge of the complete implementation of the JCPOA will adopt proper countermeasures to ensure the country’s national interests”.

Whatever have been said in the legislation about Iran’s military forces and the country’s missile ability “are totally unjustified and illegal.

“We announce that Iran’s armed forces defend the country’s security and interests with courage and such measures will never make the slightest dent to this end,” he said.

“Once again we underline that Iran’s defense missiles programs are legal and is not in contradiction with Resolution 2231 and no act can deprive the country of its legitimate rights,” Qasemi said.