Rejecting the statement, Qassemi said Iran’s missile capabilities only fall within the framework of legitimate national defence programmes, as reported by IRNA.
“As it has been repeatedly said, Iranian missiles are not designed with the purpose of carrying nuclear warhead,” Qassemi said.
A few days ago, NATO heads of states jointly issued a statement expressing concern over ‘development of Iran’s ballistic missile programme and continuing missile tests that are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231.’
Iran’s missile program has no relations with nuclear talks and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, Qassemi noted, stressing that it also does not violate UNSCR 2231.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 (2015) calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.
Although Iran’s missile program has been planned based on the country’s defence doctrine, certain Western officials have recently taken contradictory stances on the issue.
On the one hand, Western officials stress that Iran’s missile program is not against JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and on the other hand, they express concern over the issue in different meetings and through different statements.