A framework Iran nuclear deal was achieved in Lausanne, Switzerland, but Iran is refusing even the most basic monitoring of its military program.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi, who serves as a senior negotiator in the nuclear talks with the P5+1 powers, dismissed speculations that Iran would put its missile program up for discussion in a bid to facilitate an agreement, Iran’s PressTV reports.
Iran launches a Fatah missile. (PressTV)
“We will by no means allow any supervision or access with regard to our country’s missiles, ballistic or otherwise, and we won’t even negotiate on them,” the senior Iranian official declared on Saturday.
Reports indicate that Iran’s missiles have the capability to strike anywhere in the Middle East and even at Europe.
Araqchi reiterated that “under no circumstances” will Tehran accept any commitment regarding the supervision or surveillance of its “defense systems,” namely, its military capabilities, as part of any deal.
Western media outlets reported that a final deal would include access for international inspectors to Iran’s military sites. Tehran categorically denied this claim, describing the reports as mere rumors and wrong interpretations of the understanding reached in Switzerland.
On Wednesday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Hossein Dehqan firmly rejected the notion, saying, “No such agreement has been reached, and basically, visiting military centers are among the red lines, and no visit to these centers will be allowed.”
Iran previously stated that it would refuse surprise inspections of its nuclear facilities and that its ballistic missile program was likewise non-negotiable.
Khamenei: West ‘Not to Be Trusted’
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader)
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the magnitude of the agreement achieved in Lausanne regarding his country’s nuclear program.
“What has been done so far does not guarantee an agreement, nor its contents, nor even that the negotiations will continue to the end,” Khamenei stated on his website on Thursday.
He demanded that all economic sanctions on Iran be lifted immediately. Western officials have stated they will be removed in phases, based on Iran’s compliance with the deal.
Khamenei said that the six world powers were “not to be trusted” and may try “to limit Iran” in further talks. He urged Iranian negotiators not to accept any “unconventional inspections” of Iran’s nuclear facilities, stressing that checks on the military sites will not be permitted.
Khamenei has the final word on all matters of state in Iran.