Iran's missile capability that is based on the country's defensive policies is not a threat, rather the real threat is the arms sales race between the US and Europe in the region, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Commenting on recent remarks by France's President Emmanuel Macron on Iran's missile program, Bahram Qasemi said that 'Iran's missile capabilities are within its military doctrine that is based on defensive and deterrence policies.'
'What is the real threat is the race between the US and some European countries in selling advanced, sophisticated arms to certain countries in the region,' he said, calling the move a 'provocative' action that will lead to an increase in the number of arsenals and instability in the region.
Referring to Iran's 'bitter' historical experience in the past decades, he said that the country will not allow others to undermine its defensive and deterrent capabilities, while arming other countries in the region with deadly weapons.
'Those who are concerned about Iran's defensive capabilities, had better avoid exporting various weapons of mass destruction to the countries of the region, after reviewing the history of the eight-year imposed war, as well as their other irrational measures against the great people of Iran,' Qasemi said.
Iran wants to see its neighbors' peace and security strengthened in the region, and will spare no effort on the path to fight destabilizing security threats of the terrorist groups, he said.
'Iran's measures in fighting Daesh (ISIS) and the Takfiri terrorism have been taken upon the request by some states and in coordination with other states of the region,' he said.
The measures by Iran not only have been in line with the international laws, but also they have been helpful in establishing security in the region and protecting territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the nation-states that were exposed to the threat of Daesh terrorism, Qasemi said.
'They have also been effective in protecting innocent people in other countries, including France,' the spokesman said.
The countries should appreciate Iran's efforts, he said.
'In the past years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been the initiator of security arrangements in coordination with the Persian Gulf countries, with the aim of establishing peace and security within the framework of cooperation with other countries of the region,' the spokesman said, denouncing 'fabricated' concerns of countries beyond the region about Iran's defensive capabilities.
- (IRNA)
