Iran Calls for Firmness in Battle Against Terrorism

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says all world countries are in need of enhanced, “serious and realistic” cooperation to eliminate the threat of terrorism, violence and extremism.

 “Terrorism, violence and extremism are unfortunately among the most pressing issues in various parts of the world including the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” Zarif said in a meeting with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.

He added that Iran’s foreign policy attaches importance to ties with Africa, describing South-South cooperation as the most important solution to issues in Africa.

Iran’s top diplomat also pointed to the growing relations between Iran and Uganda, and expressed Tehran’s willingness to open a new chapter in cooperation with African nations.

Zarif arrived in Uganda from Kenya later on Monday on the second leg of a four-nation tour of Africa that will also take him to Burundi, and Tanzania.

The Ugandan leader, for his part, said Iran’s constructive and positive role in promoting regional peace and security is indisputable.

He added that Kampala welcomes the expansion of political, economic, cultural, scientific and security ties with Tehran.

Museveni said Kampala is keen to use Iran’s experiences in the field of science, technology and human development.

Iran already has a significant presence in agricultural and economic projects in some African countries, and has been a major contributor to humanitarian missions in the continent over the past years.

Iran’s missile capability non-negotiable, says Araqchi

On the other hand, a senior Iranian nuclear negotiator has 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.

He added that Iran successfully placed into orbit the domestically-made Fajr (Dawn) satellite on Monday in line with the country’s long-term approaches to sustain its presence in the space to strengthen its telecommunication infrastructures.

The Iranian official emphasized that in line with the country’s nuclear talks with the P5+1 countries, no permission has been or will be issued in the future to hold negotiations on Iran’s defense and missile capabilities.

Araqchi’s remarks came after the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki claimed that Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities are part of the ongoing talks between Tehran and the six world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“That issue has been discussed and will continue to be discussed as part of the negotiations,” Psaki said.

Sanctions no hurdle to Iran’s progress, says Dehqan

Meanwhile, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan underlined that the successful launch and orbiting of Iran’s home-made ‘Fajr (Dawn)’ satellite displayed that sanctions and pressures have failed to block the country’s progress.

“Today, we have a word to say in many technological fields everywhere in the world and we embrace increasing honor and glory each day,” Dehqan said in Tehran on Tuesday.

He said enemies are attempting to show that sanctions have succeeded in bringing the Iranian nation to its knees and halting its progress, while they have failed. “The sanctions haven’t stopped Iran’s scientific growth; the youth of the Islamic Iran have built the Fajr satellite and sent it into the Earth’s orbit successfully while the country has been under sanctions.”

Dehqan stressed that all stages of building the Fajr satellite, including its after-launch tracking, are being fulfilled by the young Iranian scientists.

The Fajr satellite was sent into the orbit on the back of the home-made Safir-e Fajr launcher on Monday.

In relevant remarks yesterday, Dehqan congratulated the Iranian government and nation on the successful launch and orbiting of the satellite.

The fully home-grown satellite which has been built by experts at the defense ministry’s Aerospace Industries Organization proves the Islamic Republic of Iran’s high capabilities to launch satellites into orbit, General Dehqan said.

“It is also another indicator of the country’s flourishing scientific growth in the state-of-the-art technologies,” he added.

 

PRESS T.V, FNA

R.S