Iran to Reconsider Europe Ties If Sanctions Imposed
TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi responded Saturday to France’s threat to sanction the Islamic Republic over its ballistic missile program, saying that Iran may have to "reconsider” its ties with Europe.
"If further sanctions are imposed on Iran,” Qasemi said, "we will reconsider our relations with Europe and continue to advance our defense capabilities.”
"Our military capabilities are part of legitimate defense powers of the state, and guarantee the national security of the Islamic Republic, which is based on deterrence,” he said. "Iran's missile capability is not negotiable, and this fact has been transferred to the French side in the dialogue between Iran and France.”
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought peace and stability in the region and believes that the massive sales of sophisticated and aggressive weapons by the United States and several European countries, including France, have undermined the peace and quiet in the region," Qasemi added.
In addition, Qasemi said that Iran had planned its defense capabilities on the basis of a realistic assessment of existing threats, and would strengthen them as needed.
On Friday, the French foreign ministry announced their intention to impose significant sanctions on Iran if there is no progress in talks on the country’s ballistic missile program.
Relations between the two countries have become strained in recent months, after France accused Iran of having ordered a massive attack, never carried out, in Paris.
"We want the French authorities to be realistic about the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we warn against the evil forces that are trying to destroy the long-standing relations between Iran and France and the rest of Europe," Qasemi said in response to the allegation.
"If further sanctions are imposed on Iran,” Qasemi said, "we will reconsider our relations with Europe and continue to advance our defense capabilities.”
"Our military capabilities are part of legitimate defense powers of the state, and guarantee the national security of the Islamic Republic, which is based on deterrence,” he said. "Iran's missile capability is not negotiable, and this fact has been transferred to the French side in the dialogue between Iran and France.”
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought peace and stability in the region and believes that the massive sales of sophisticated and aggressive weapons by the United States and several European countries, including France, have undermined the peace and quiet in the region," Qasemi added.
In addition, Qasemi said that Iran had planned its defense capabilities on the basis of a realistic assessment of existing threats, and would strengthen them as needed.
On Friday, the French foreign ministry announced their intention to impose significant sanctions on Iran if there is no progress in talks on the country’s ballistic missile program.
Relations between the two countries have become strained in recent months, after France accused Iran of having ordered a massive attack, never carried out, in Paris.
"We want the French authorities to be realistic about the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we warn against the evil forces that are trying to destroy the long-standing relations between Iran and France and the rest of Europe," Qasemi said in response to the allegation.