Iran’s defense program not subject to other parties’ permission: Zarif

Zarif, attending a joint news conference on Tuesday with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault, told reporters that Iran’s defense program is out the scope of the UN Resolution 2231 and the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iran’s top diplomat expressed hope that the country’s defense program would not be used as a pretext for fomenting fresh political matchups.

“The new administration in the United States, presently facing unfortunate international situation following the imposition of the visa ban, may capitalize on the issue to provoke a new tension,” he said.

Iran paid a heavy price standing up against foreign aggressions for eight years, Zarif said.

“Eight years of an Iraqi imposed war against the Islamic Republic set a dark precedent regarding the treatment it received from the international community,” he said.

The people of Iran are not going to wait for other parties to let them defend themselves, the foreign minister said.

Iran has repeatedly declared that it is not going to use its weapons against others unless in self defense, Zarif said.

“Iran has proved that it has not started any war during the past 250 years,” he said.

But the country remains to courageously defend its dignity, territorial integrity and independence against foreign invasions.”

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