Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9
By Khalid Kazimov – Trend:
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that his country’s military programs pursue merely defensive purposes.
President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic has proved that it does not have any intentions to interfere in other countries’ domestic affairs, IRNA news agency reported.
Addressing the ambassadors of foreign countries to Iran at a ceremony marking the country’s republic day, he said the Islamic Republic has never attacked any country.
Saying that Iran has no plans to attack any country in the future, he added that the Islamic Republic’s weapons are for self-defense only.
“We believe that nations should establish relations and the governments should facilitate ties between the world’s nations in order to benefit from common interests,” Rouhani said.
Since President Donald Trump has assumed office, several officials from US and Iran have exchanged sharp criticism, in particular concerning Iran’s recent missile tests.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan on Feb. 9 rejected a report by Fox News claiming Iran has conducted a new missile test.