Iran claims its missile program is defensive and not up for debate

Iran insists that its missile program is defensive in nature and designed to dissuade attack, while adding the existence of its arsenal was not up for debate.

Israel says Iran’s ballistic missiles, along with its nuclear program, are the main threats it sought to neutralize during the 12-day war in June.

“Iran’s missile program was developed to defend Iran’s territory, not for negotiation,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei says at a weekly press conference.

“Therefore, Iran’s defense capabilities, designed to deter aggressors from any thought of attacking Iran, are not a matter that could be talked about.”

According to US broadcaster NBC, Israel is growing increasingly concerned that Iran is seeking to rebuild and expand its missile production following the war and may seek to strike it again to curtail those efforts.

During a planned visit to the US later this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is expected to present [President Donald] Trump with options for the US to join or assist in any new military operations,” NBC reported, citing an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the plans and former US officials briefed on them.

Additionally, Israel has warned the Trump administration that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using an ongoing military exercise focusing on missiles as cover to launch an attack on Israel, according to a report yesterday. However, the US intelligence community has not seen any signs that an Iranian strike could be imminent, an American source told the outlet.

Israel says the June strikes on military and nuclear sites were to prevent Iran from realizing its avowed plan to destroy Israel.