"We have a reserved position," Kabulov told RIA Novosti in an interview. "[Iran’s] missile program doesn’t fall under any kind of limitations, and wherever they don’t fall into the frameworks of UN Security Council resolutions on limitations, we don’t have any complaints."
Media reported in January that Iran tested a surface-to-surface Emad (Pillar) missile last October, allegedly in violation of a UN Security Council resolution. Washington reacted by sanctioning 11 entities and individuals, including six Iranians and one Chinese citizen, over their involvement in procurement on behalf of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
"This is Iran’s right," Kabulov argued. "They are not developing offensive types of weapons and they’re being threatened by various countries. They have the right for self-defense."
The international community has long suspected Iran of trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and the UN Security Council imposed two resolutions on Tehran seeking to curtail its activities involving ballistic missiles. Last July, Tehran agreed with six world powers to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the listing of economic sanctions.
Following new US restrictions, Iran’s Armed Forces Commander Ayatollah Salehi said his country would continue developing its missile program since it did not violate the July deal on the Iranian nuclear program.
