Envoy: Iran's ballistic missile capabilities not negotiable
The Iranian ambassador to Baghdad says Tehran will not negotiate on its ballistic missile capabilities amid indications that a letter from US President Donald Trump has included such a demand.
“We have just learned about the content of the letter. Its gist is that the other side is ready for negotiations, though the language of threat has been used in some sentences,” Mohammad Kazem Ale-Sadeq told Iraq’s al-Sharqiya TV on Thursday evening.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that an official response to Trump's letter was “appropriately sent through Oman” on Wednesday. However, no details have been released of the Iranian response nor the contents of Trump’s letter, which came as the Trump administration levied new sanctions on Iran as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign.
Ale-Sadeq stressed that military capabilities and components of the country’s ballistic missile program are in no way subject to negotiations.
“We will not negotiate on the subject of ballistic missiles. Only the nuclear issue would be discussed. If they lay down fair conditions that recognize Iran's full rights, we are ready to negotiate,” he said.
Ale-Sadeq said Iran will only engage in negotiations over its civilian atomic program, and other issues are not on the agenda of Iranian nuclear negotiators.
“Other matters are related to the Iraqi side or resistance groups. Resistance groups themselves should decide what to do,” the Iranian ambassador added.
Ale-Sadeq revealed that Trump, in his letter, has called for the dissolution or integration of anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha'abi, into other Iraqi forces.
“They (Americans) brought about the issue of the resistance front and the Popular Mobilization Units. We declare that the PMU is a legitimate military institution under the Iraqi law. It is only for Iraq alone to decide what happens within its borders. The US should not seek discussions with Iran about Hashd al-Sha’abi.”
The Iranian ambassador also stated that Trump's call for the dissolution the PMU or its merger into other Iraqi forces is unacceptable to Iran, affirming Iran's stance on the matter.
“Hashd al-Sha’abi is a legal and official institution, and has played a major role in the fight against Daesh [Takfiri terrorist group]. It enjoys prowess, military capabilities as well as experience.”
On Thursday, Araghchi reiterated that Iran’s policy still entails the rejection of direct negotiations under maximum pressures and military threats, but indirect talks held in the past can continue.
Iran warns US: Tehran summons Swiss envoy over Trump bombing threat
Iran blasts Trump ‘bombing’ threat as ‘shocking affront’ to global peace, security
Leader: Corrupt Israeli regime ‘only proxy force’ in region, must be uprooted
Yemeni forces announce downing of US MQ-9 drone
French far-right leader Le Pen barred from presidential race after embezzlement conviction
VIDEO | Iranians mark Eid al-Fitr with mass prayers
Iran, Turkmenistan agree to launch passenger train services
Gunmen kill 12 civilians in western, central Syria on 1st day of Eid al-Fitr
VIDEO | Gazans observe Eid under bombing and devastation
‘Formidable power’: Yemen warns ‘surprises in store’ will astonish enemy
IRGC Navy seizes two foreign tankers smuggling fuel in Persian Gulf
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
