Iran Vows to Speed Up Ballistic-Missile Program, Casting Fresh Doubts on Nuclear Accord

An Iranian Emad rocket is launched as it is tested at an 

undisclosed location in October. Fars News/Reuters

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered his defense minister to expedite development of the country’s ballistic missile program in response to new U.S. sanctions set to be imposed on Iranian defense companies.

Mr. Rouhani’s comments, made on his official Twitter account Thursday, cast fresh doubts on the prospects for the U.S. and Iran to successfully implement the landmark nuclear agreement reached last July.

Rouhani expands Iran's missile program

The Obama administration has said it could begin removing sanctions on Tehran as early as January since Iran has begun taking steps to roll back its nuclear program.

But the U.S. is concurrently preparing to impose new sanctions on Iranian defense firms and officials in the wake of two ballistic missile tests staged by Tehran over the past three months, according to senior U.S. officials.

Mr. Rouhani said Thursday such sanctions are illegal and that Tehran will take steps to retaliate, including accelerating the pace of its missile program.

“If U.S. continues its illegitimate interference with Iran’s right to defend itself, a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities,” the Iranian president said. “We have never negotiated regarding our defense capabilities including our missile program and will not accept any restrictions in this regard.”

Read the rest of the story HERE and follow a link to a related story below:

Obama Administration Preparing Fresh Iran Sanctions: Nearly a dozen companies and individuals targeted over ballistic-missile program

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