By taking recourse to missile and nuclear programs or human rights, western countries seek to exert more pressure on Iran to force it to backtrack on its regional positions, a lawmaker said.
“The West is unable to … diminish Iran’s influence in other countries,” Jalil Rahimi, a member of Majlis Judicial and Legal Affairs Commission, also said in a recent interview with ICANA.
His comments came following France’s call on Iran on Friday to immediately stop all activities linked to ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons since it does not conform to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
It was in response to President Hassan Rouhani’s announcement on Thursday that two satellites would be sent into space using Iranian missiles.
Tehran has denied its missile program is in violation of the resolution, emphasizing that developing defensive missiles is the natural right of the Iranian nation. The Islamic Republic also says none of its missiles is designed to deliver nuclear payloads.
Rahimi noted that the country’s missile power is part of its peaceful defense policy it is entitled to boost, especially given the increasing presence of American vessels and troops in the region.
No Concession
“We should not yield to Europeans’ outrageous demands … Weakening our missile capability will cause harm to our country,” he said.
Rahimi pointed out that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and other international agreements have placed a ban only on atomic warheads.
“Iran has not violated any international law in its missile program … Our country does not have access to any nuclear warhead to build missiles for,” he said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, has also confirmed in consecutive reports the peaceful nature of Iran’s activities.
Citing Article 51 of the UN charter, he said self-defense is the inherent right of any member state, therefore countries are entitled to develop military gear.
“France’s approach against Iran’s defense programs is a clear violation of international law and an obvious interference in the country’s domestic affairs,” he said.
The United States abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal last May, arguing that it did not cover Iran’s missile program and regional activity. The European Union is also seeking to wring concessions out of Iran over the same policies, however on the basis of the nuclear accord.
