Iran denies US claim that nuclear talks include missiles
Iran's deputy foreign minister has denied claims by the US State Department that Iran’s missile program is under discussion during the nuclear talks.
Iran launched its fourth satellite into space yesterday, Feb. 2. The Fajr (Dawn) satellite — which was built domestically and launched using an Iranian Safir-e Fajr satellite carrier — is to be used for observational purposes, according to Iranian officials.
However, US State Department officials, concerned about Iran’s long-range missile program, condemned the move. During a press briefing yesterday, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki was asked by a reporter for the US reaction. She replied, “As we’ve said before, Iran’s missile program continues to pose a dangerous threat to the region and is an issue we monitor closely.”
Psaki added, “One of the issues we are taking up in the negotiations, as you know, is how to deal with the ballistic capabilities of delivering nuclear warheads. That issue has been discussed and will continue to be discussed as part of the negotiations.”
When pressed further on whether Iran’s ballistic missiles are being discussed in ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1), Psaki said, “As a part of the negotiations. That’s long been the case.”
