TEHRAN – Iran has denounced a “biased and unconstructive” joint statement that Bahraini and Egyptian officials issued in Manama about Iran’s defense capabilities, reiterating that Tehran’s missile power poses no threat to the neighbors.
In a statement on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani rejected the baseless allegations leveled against Iran by two Arab officials in the Bahraini capital.
The claims, he said, are spiteful and unconstructive pursuing special goals and purposes.
Kanaani called on the two countries to correctly understand the regional equations and pay attention to the stabilizing role and place of Iran in the West Asian region.
He also described as futile the two countries’ insistence to continue on the wrong path of Iranophobia, “which is illogical and only serves the interests of the Zionist regime in the region”.
Iran, he said, has an inalienable and legal right to stabilize and preserve its nuclear achievements, adding the Islamic Republic’s defense and missile capabilities are in line with a strategic policy and its defensive doctrine that poses no threat to the neighbors.
He further underlined Iran’s determination and goodwill to expand and preserve ties with the neighbors as well as the Islamic and Arab countries.
Kanaani finally touched on the Iranian administration’s increased efforts to this end as a strong and clear proof of Tehran’s goodwill.
On Wednesday, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah met with visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Manama, where they accused Iran of meddling in the affairs of Arab countries.
They also charged Tehran with non-compliance with the principles of good neighborliness, and destabilizing activities.
Additionally, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani repeated the anti-Iran claims in a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.
Iran has reaffirmed its good neighbor policy in dealing with regional countries, reassuring its neighbors that Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs are civilian in nature and serve the security of the region.