‘Not negotiable!’ Iran REFUSES to discuss missile programme as World War 3 fears grow
IRAN has warned its ballistic missile programme is “non-negotiable” after France threatened to impose fresh sanctions if there was no progress in talks between Europe and Tehran on the country’s ballistic capability.
By ALICE SCARSI
Express.co.uk
Mon, Jan 28, 2019
Tensions reached new highs between European nations and Iran after Tehran said it was not holding talks with France over its missile programme. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said: “There has been no talks, whether secret or not secret, about our missile programme with France or any other country. Our missile programme is a defensive programme that we only discuss it inside the country.
“I cannot confirm holding any secret talks with France over our missile programme.
“We talk about regional and political issues with France but our missile capability is not negotiable we have repeatedly said that during our political talks with France.”
Tehran didn’t flinch at the threat issued by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday, when he announced the Elysee was ready to impose more sanctions against Iran.
The French minister said his country was still supporting a European-backed system to facilitate trades with Iran – but only if Tehran showed a disposition towards reining in its missile activity.
The system would be an attempt to circumvent sanctions issued by the US in 2018 by Donald Trump, who imposed them over all dollar transactions made with Tehran.
Mr Le Drian said: “We are ready, if the talks don’t yield results, to apply sanctions firmly, and they know it.”
This comes as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the country’s elite armed forces group, issued a stark threat to Israel.
The Rest…HERE
