The government of Iran warned that its missile development program is a fundamental pillar of its national defense strategy and assured that the country's military capabilities are "non-negotiable" under any circumstances. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed external pressures during a press conference, amid reports of a possible military escalation by Israel with the backing of the United States, Argentina News Agency learned. Tension with Israel and the US. According to Baghaei, while Iran is pointed out as a global threat, those same nations continue to send massive supplies of weapons to Israel. The region is experiencing a climate of maximum alert following the events of mid-year: June 13: Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, resulting in the death of commanders and scientists. June 22: United States forces bombed key nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. With this ratification, Tehran closes the door to any diplomatic concession regarding its arsenal, hardening its stance against the change of administration in the White House and ongoing military operations in the Middle East. "Iran's defense capabilities have been designed to prevent aggressors from harboring the idea of attacking the country," the official emphasized, stressing that the armament has an exclusively deterrent purpose to protect territorial sovereignty. Criticism of the West. The spokesperson described the position of Western powers as "clear hypocrisy." Baghaei's statements come in response to reports from US media suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will try to convince the US President-elect, Donald Trump, that Tehran's ballistic program represents an imminent threat that requires a rapid response.
