Iran FM Cites French Ballistic Missile Test, Slams West’s Double Standards
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif referred to a recent test firing of a ballistic missile by France and slammed the West’s double standards when it comes to missile tests.
“What’s good for the goose is apparently NOT good for the gander,” the Iranian top diplomat wrote in a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday.
The French military test-fired a M51.2 strategic ballistic missile on Wednesday morning from its Biscarosse test site on France’s Atlantic coast.
France and other Western countries have called on Iran to halt its missile activities and demanded that the issue be included in the talks for revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.
In February 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country’s missile program.
“Without a moment of hesitation, the country must move to acquire whatever is necessary for defense, even if the whole world is opposed to it,” the Leader said at the time.
