MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Tehran will accelerate the development of its missile program in line with country's national interests and objectives, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan said Friday.
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington was preparing new financial sanctions against people and companies allegedly involved in the Iranian ballistic-missile program. On Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered Dehqan to accelerate the missile program over the sanctions threat.
He added that because of the current situation in the region, peace and security could only be provided with the existence of strong military forces.
Washington's restrictions could be the first sanctions imposed on Tehran since Iran reached a historic deal with the P5+1 group, including the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and Germany in July. The agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 states guarantees the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear program in exchange for relief of sanctions imposed on the country.
