Iran vows to develop missile program amid pressures

TEHRAN -- Iran will not slow down the pace of developing its missile program, despite the US pressures, the defense minister said Friday.

An image on the Iranian Defence Ministry website on October 11, 2015 shows the launch of an Imad missile at an undisclosed location in Iran. [Photo/Agencies]

"We will vigorously press ahead with the development of missile capabilities within the framework of the country's defense policies," Brigadier Gen. Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

"There has been no interruption in the process of designing and manufacturing defensive ballistic missiles," Dehqan said, adding that the Iranian armed forces will employ all indigenous potential and equipment to strengthen the country's defense power, regardless of what foreigners say or do.

The deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Brigadier Gen. Hossein Salami, also reiterated Friday that Iran will not hesitate a moment to develop its deterrent power against the threats posed by hegemonic powers.

The remarks by Iranian military officials followed Thursday's letter from President Hassan Rouhani to proceed with the country's missile program "with high speed and seriously" and expand Iran's missile capabilities in response to the US considered sanctions.

Rouhani's remarks were a response to the US Treasury Department's recent announcement that it was considering sanctions against a number of Iranian and international individuals and agencies for their alleged involvement in developing Iran's ballistic missile program.

"It is necessary to follow, more seriously and with high speed, the production of different kinds of missiles within the framework of the defensive policies," Rouhani said.

The Defense Ministry is obliged to expand the missile capabilities of Iran, in case the United States insists on its "false and interfering measures," Rouhani said.