Will not discuss missile program: Iran defence minister

Iran's defense minister says Tehran will not discuss its ballistic missiles as part of ongoing talks with world powers on a final agreement to curb the Iranian nuclear program.

General Hossein Dehghan's remarks rebuffed recent comments by US State Department's nuclear negotiator, Wendy Sherman, who said Iran's ballistic capabilities should be addressed as part of a comprehensive agreement with Iran.

The semiofficial Fars news agency today quoted Dehghan as saying Iran's missile program has "nothing to do" with the nuclear negotiations.

Ballistic missile can be used to deliver nuclear warheads. Iran insists its missiles program has no nuclear dimensions. Iran and the six world powers are currently negotiating a final deal that would remove all possibilities that the Islamic Republic could use its capabilities to build a nuclear weapon.