"The Americans should know that the missile power and
the regional issues, including Syria and Iraq, are related to Iran's national
security and regional security and are not for bargain," General Rahim
Safavi said, addressing a ceremony in the Northwestern province of East
Azarbaijan on Wednesday.
He expressed confidence that the Americans will be forced to
withdraw from their political positions and withhold their cruel sanctions
against Iran.
In relevant remarks earlier this month, Iranian Foreign
Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi reiterated his country's opposition to any
kind of talks with foreign powers over its missile and defensive programs.
"We have not changed our position and have several
times repeated that our missile issues are a part of our defensive policies
that are not in violation of the (UNSC) Resolution 2231 at all," Qassemi
told reporters in Tehran.
"We don’t allow other governments to interfere" in
our domain of affairs, he added.
Also, in August, Qassemi blasted the US officials' remarks
against the country's missile program, stressing that Washington is not
entitled to speak about Iran's internal affairs.
"The issue with the missile is internal, defensive and
related to deterrence which is in no violation of Resolution 2231 and is not
related to them (the Americans)," Qassemi said.
Asked about the US officials' demand for inspecting military
centers in Iran, he described it as humorous, saying that anything necessary
has been mentioned in the (nuclear) negotiations and speaking of such visit is
a "dream that will never come true".
Qassemi added that Iran is a country which has the lowest
defense budget in the region but meantime relies on its youth to develop
defensive capabilities.
