Iran Missile Capabilities Non-Negotiable, Says Top Negotiator
Senior Iranian nuclear negotiator said on Monday that Iran’s missile capabilities are for defense purposes and non-negotiable.
‘Our capabilities are not at all open to discussion,’ Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi told reporters.
He, meantime, said that the Iranian nuclear negotiators will answer the concerns proposed by certain sides of the nuclear talks regarding Iran’s missile program.
‘Our missile program is purely defensive,’ Araqchi said.
He criticized US President Donald Trump’s remarks against the nuclear deal, and said that Trump’s statements are against the good will.
The official said that the Iranian delegation is expected to talk nuclear cooperation with the EU, implementation of nuclear deal and US breach of the deal in the upcoming regular meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to be held in Vienna.
Iran, Russia finalizing new civilian nuclear contracts, says Parliament speaker
In another development, Iranian parliament speaker said on Monday that Iran and Russia are finalizing new contracts to construct two atomic power plants.
‘The contract for establishment of two new atomic power plants in cooperation with Russians is being finalized,’ Ali Larijani said in an exclusive interview with the Russian Sputnik News Agency.
He said that Tehran and Moscow are in talks with each other regarding the issue.
The Iranian speaker hailed Russia’s positive role in fighting terrorism and drug trafficking in the region and called for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
Commenting on the US threats for withdrawing nuclear deal, he said that the US will lose its prestige in the world if withdraw the nuclear deal.
Larijani said that Tehran will adopt reciprocal measures if Washington abandons the nuclear deal.
IRNA
R.S