IFP Exclusive

“France in No Position to Dictate Iran’s Defence Policy”

A foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Leader says the Islamic Republic’s defence policy has nothing to do with foreign powers, reacting to frequent calls from French officials for curbs on Tehran’s missile program.

“It’s not France’s business to tell us what kind of missiles we should have,” Ali Akbar Velayati said Wednesday.

“Do we tell France how should it defend itself?” he asked rhetorically.

France, along with other European powers, Germany and Britain, has for a while been requesting Iran to stop developing ballistic missiles.

They argue curbs on Iran’s missile program and regional activities will convince US President Donald Trump not to “terminate” the 2015 nuclear deal.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to arrive in Iran for an official visit Monday, during which he is expected to raise Iran’s missile program.

Velayati said statements by French officials regarding Iran’s missile work will do them no good, urging the French foreign minister to avoid repeating them.

“Le Drian should refrain from adopting negative positions, if his trip is aimed at boosting relations with Tehran,” he said after a meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori in Tehran.

Velayati said Iran will devise its defence policy independently, adding it cannot remain indifferent to mass weapons purchases by governments in the region.

“No country can give orders to other states. It’s our right to decide how we should defend ourselves, either by missiles or other defensive weapons”, ISNA quoted him as saying in a Farsi report.

The advisor was apparently referring to Saudi Arabia, a major buyer of arms and the US arms dealers’ top client.

Just last year, Saudis agreed to buy over $110 billion worth of US weapons during Trump’s visit to Riyadh.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

IRGC: US Iran’s main enemy, Israel can’t survive without its support

The spokesperson and deputy head of public relations for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)…

2 hours ago

Iran says increased number of its centrifuges in response to the IAEA resolution

The Atomic Energy Organization and the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that, in response to the…

2 hours ago

Iranian, Belarusian tourism ministers meet on facilitating tourist movement

Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, met on Thursday…

5 hours ago

Unscheduled visit by Qatari prime minister to Tehran sparks speculation

Reports emerged by Iranian daily Donya-e Eqtesad suggest that the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister…

20 hours ago

ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant for ‘war crimes’ in Gaza

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,…

21 hours ago

Iran to respond to Europe’s “non-technical” move: Foreign Minister

As France, Germany, and the United Kingdom submit an anti-Iran draft resolution to the International…

21 hours ago