Iran confirms recent ballistic missile test

Iran's Defence Minister Hossein Dehqan on Wednesday confirmed the recent ballistic missile test by his country.

"The recent (missile) test was in line with our programmes, and we will not allow any outsider to interfere in our defence affairs," Dehqan was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying.

Iran's missile test by no means contradicts the Iranian nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, nor the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, the minister said.

Resolution 2231, adopted on July 20, 2015, to endorse a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

The defence minister said that the country's missile tests were part of Iran's defence plans aimed at fulfilling its national interests, and no one or country could affect the country's plans and decisions.

He reiterated that Iran's missile programme was for deterrence purposes.

Details of the recent missile test by Tehran have not been publicised, but it was the first test by Iran after new US President Donald Trump took office on January 20.

On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Washington against fomenting tensions over the missile programme of Iran.

Zarif expressed the hope that Iran's missile programme would not be used as an excuse by the new US administration to create new tension for his country.

Iran's tests of missiles falls outside United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, Zarif said in a joint press conference with his visiting French counterpart.

The resolution only points to the ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said.

"We have announced that none of our ballistic missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads," Zarif said. "Iran would not allow others to decide on its defence programme."

--IANS

ahm/bg