Iran FM Zarif: ”missiles tests don‘t violate nuclear deal”
March 15, 2016
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday its ballistic missiles were for self-defense and that recent tests condemned by the United States did not violate an historic nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Zarif made the remarks at a news conference alongside his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Canberra. He further called for boosting bilateral cooperation with Australia in fight against terrorism and extremism.
The Iranian top diplomat said that lifting of anti Iran sanctions have opened the road for cooperation between Iranian and Australian businesses. Bishop, for her side, called the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Syria a matter of common interest for Canberra and Tehran. Zarif is the first high-ranking Iranian official to visit Australia in more than a decade. Zarif said that the missiles tested last week would never be used in aggression. The tests drew international concern and prompted a meeting on Monday of the 15-nation Security Council. The Iranian foreign minister’s travel comes as part of his tour of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.