Kerry’s comments on Iranian missiles strike nerve in Tehran
Iranian officials have rejected Secretary of State John Kerry’s suggestion of a “new arrangement” with Iran over issues such as their missile program.
In a meeting with Arab leaders in the Persian Gulf on April 7, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the United States was willing to work with Iran in a “new arrangement” to address issues of contention such as Iran’s ballistic missiles. The comments have irked a number of Iranian officials, even those who have been supportive of the direct talks with the United States to resolve issues over the country’s nuclear program.
“Iran will not negotiate with anyone over its defensive power,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Regarding Kerry’s suggestion and the possibility of another comprehensive agreement between Iran and the world powers in the vein of the nuclear agreement, Velayati said, “It has no relation to Mr. Kerry to discuss Iran’s defensive powers.”
