Tehran, YJC. Senior advisor to Leader of the Islamc Republic of Iran Ali Khamenei has rebuffed any negotiations over the country’s defensive missile capabilities.
"Iran’s
issue of missiles is not up for any type of talks,” Ali Akbar Velayati spoke to
reporters on Monday.
The
senior Iranian statesman added that the issue of the country’s missile program
would be no part of the upcoming nuclear talks with the six western powers in
the Swiss city of Geneva.
Some
Western officials, particularly of the United States, have called for Iran's
missile program to be included in the country's nuclear talks with the sixtet -
Russia, Britain, France, China, the US and Germany.
"Iran
will do everything necessary for its defensive purposes,” Velayati, who also
serves as Head of Strategic Research Center of the State Expediency Discernment
Council, pointed out.
He noted
that Iran’s missile program is designed for solely peaceful defensive goals.
"Deterrence
is the most important feature of our missiles," he said, adding, "In
order to strengthen its defense power, the country has no need to get
permission from anybody.”
He made
the remarks as senior officials from Iran and the P5+1 are planning to resume a
new round of talks in Geneva on December 17.