Iran says missile program not negotiable

Iran’s foreign minister says the country’s missile program is not up for negotiation with the United States.

The missile program and “defense capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran are not negotiable,” says Mohammad Javad Zarif after meeting with his Estonian counterpart, Marina Kaljurand.

He adds that if Washington is serious about defensive issues in the Middle East, it should stop supplying arms to Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif listens to a question in a joint press briefing with his Omani counterpart Yousuf bin Alawi after their meeting in Tehran, February 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday the US and its partners were telling Iran that they were “prepared to work on a new arrangement to find a peaceful solution to these issues.” He said Iran first had to make it clear to all involved that they were prepared to cease provocative ballistic missile launches and tests.

Zarif also hints regional US allies are among those quietly supporting the extremist Islamic State group.

“The US needs to view regional issues more seriously than raise baseless and threadbare allegations against Iran,” says Zarif. “Mr. Kerry should ask US allies where the Islamic State’s arms come from.”

— AP