Russia sees Iranian missiles as a regional deterrent
Russia does not believe that Tehran is hiding under the cover of a peaceful space program to build missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction. This is only a deterrent measure on a regional scale. Vladimir Yermakov, Head of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated.
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| Iran's ballistic missile test launch. Photo: AP Photo / Fars News Agency |
"We consider Iranian missiles as a means of deterrence, and only on a regional scale. It is also worth recalling that ballistic missiles, often more modern ones, are also present in countries neighboring Iran," Yermakov said, commenting on Western claims about satellite launches carried out by Iran.
The diplomat said that the United States and its allies "accuse Tehran that under the guise of a peaceful space program, Iran is trying to improve its military ballistic missiles, which, according to the West, are needed for Tehran to deliver weapons of mass destruction at long range. We do not agree with these assessments," he noted.