Iran decries challenge made by French UN envoy to defence capability

EghtesadOnline: Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Tuesday that the allegations made by French envoy to the UN Francois Francois Delattre about Iranian defense capability are clear instance of conscious hostility toward Iran.

News ID: ۷۶۸۳۴۷

19 July 2016

Qassemi made the remarks in reaction to statement of the French permanent representative to the United Nations about Iranian defense capability and the regional diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Iran’s military power, including missiles, are not designed for carrying nuclear warhead and they fall beyond the context of the UN Security Council resolution or its annexes,” said Qassemi.

According to IRNA, he said the allegations made by Francois Delattre in the UN Security Council session on the nuclear, missile activities and the regional diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran are hostile and in contradiction with stance of other French officials.

He said that many IAEA reports ratified that Iran abides by its JCPOA commitments.

“However, our expectations from the other party have not yet been met and western governments are expected to adhere to their promises in practice. French envoy’s statements are far from reality and aim to cover up France’s all-out interference in the Syrian affairs, which has inflicted hefty human and financial damages on Syrians.”

The spokesman said that the governments responsible for spread of unrest in Syria through shipment of arms to the armed and irresponsible groups are accountable for complicity with terrorism.

Qassemi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always advocated to put an end to violence and go ahead with reforms in Syria by national dialogue within framework of Intra-Syria talks.

Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to actively contribute to promotion of peace and stability in the region to thwart the growing threat of terrorism and extremism, said Qassemi, adding that Iran will continue with its progressive role in fighting the menaces of terrorism and is ready to fully cooperate with its neighbors and international community to deal with the common global threat.

He expressed shock about the allegations made by the French UN envoy on Iran’s missile program which is contradictory with the spirit of JCPOA.

He said that Iran has adopted necessary measures to strengthen its defensive power to safeguard national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in the face of any aggression and it will continue with such policy of confronting menace of terrorism in the region.

Within the framework, Iran’s military potential, including missiles, are solely for legitimate defense, said Qassemi, adding that the equipment are not designed for carrying nuclear warheads, so they fall beyond the context of the UN Security Council resolution or its annexes.

He dismissed the concern of the French permanent envoy to United Nations over Iran’s regional policy and the visit of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani to Iraq or Syria at a time when the Zionist regime, as focal point of crisis and the main obstacle on the way of achieving regional and global peace, are consciously put into oblivion by the French leaders and government.

Qassemi said that unfortunately, launching constant efforts to destabilize the region through alignment with founders and supporters of Daesh, France has recently hosted the meeting of terrorist group - the MKO and Taliban, al-Qaeda and Daesh ringleaders.

Such measures, along with efforts to clear the MKO of the crimes against humanity, martyring 17,000 Iranian people and officials, are not in harmony with the French government's International Responsibility, he added.