Islam Times - Iran: Missile Capability “Non-Negotiable”

Islam Times - A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator rejected US claims that Tehran’s defense capabilities would be part of future nuclear talks with the P5+1 countries, saying the country's missile capability is non-negotiable.

“Our country’s missile program has a completely defensive nature and the Islamic Republic of Iran does not regard the country’s defense issues as negotiable and will not hold such negotiations with any foreign side,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi said Tuesday.

The rocket carrier used to send Iran's new satellite into orbit has been designed and used for completely scientific purposes, he said, adding that the country will never allow its missile industry, which is used for defensive purposes, to become an agenda for Iran-powers talks.

“The 'Safir (Messenger)' rocket which carried the Fajr satellite into the orbit (on Monday) has been designed and built by the capable hands of experts at the defense ministry's aerospace organization for space missions and in pursuit of fully peaceful goals,” Araqchi said.

His comments came in reaction to the yesterday remarks of US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki who voiced concern about the launch of the Iranian satellite and claimed that Tehran's missile program is a part of the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers.