Iran on Thursday dismissed claims made at a NATO summit about its missile and nuclear program and regional role, while criticizing the United States for imposing its policies on the alliance.
"[The US] is seeking to high-handedly impose its opinion and policies on other nations, particularly European countries by applying pressure," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in remarks published by the ministry, ISNA reported.
In a statement issued at a meeting in Brussels on July 11, NATO members said, "We are concerned by Iran's intensified missile tests and the range and precision of its ballistic missiles and by Iran's destabilizing activities in the wider Middle East region."
They called on Iran to continue to fully cooperate in a timely manner with the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying, "We are committed to permanently ensuring that Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful, in line with its international obligations and commitments to never seek, develop or acquire a nuclear weapon."
Defense Purposes
Qasemi said the country's missile program is solely defensive in nature and does not violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which underpins the nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers.
"Iran, like all independent countries in the world, has the right to pursue conventional military and defense programs to defend the country's interests, its people and territory and such expressions of unfounded concern will have no impact on Iran's policy to maintain, expand and strengthen its capabilities and missile defense program."
He added that instead of appeasing to the US, the military bloc should have censured Donald Trump and his administration for violating nternational commitments, which was most recently manifested in its unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord.
NATO states are aware that the UN nuclear watchdog has repeatedly confirmed Iran's compliance with the terms of the historic deal, Qasemi said.
“NATO member states are undoubtedly aware of the numerous and back-to-back reports by the IAEA regarding Iran’s measures and compliance with its obligations. Instead of pleasing US officials, they should have been more concerned about one NATO member’s non-compliance and illegal and unilateral withdrawal from international agreements”
Call for Dialogue
The Foreign Ministry official refuted accusations of Iran's support for terrorism and said the country has always underlined the need to resolve regional issues through dialogue, especially in neighboring countries.
He was referring to part of the NATO statement in which Iran was accused of backing armed non-state actors and was called upon to contribute to regional stability by fully supporting an Afghan-led peace process.
Qasemi said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes in and has always called for regional cooperation and dialogue with its neighbors and has wasted no opportunity to enter into negotiations with our neighbors."
