Exclusive; John Kirby: Iran's Missile Program is a 'Clear Threat' to the Middle East

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby, stated in an exclusive interview with the Persian section of Voice of America on Friday that the purpose of the Biden administration's recommendation regarding Iran-Russia drone cooperation is to inform the business community of the White House's concerns about the potential use of components made by them in Iranian drones. Kirby said, 'We want to ensure that private entities, especially technology companies, understand the risks of their products falling into the hands of Iran [and] being used to build Iranian drones.' Regarding the recent missile tests of the Khyber and Fattah missiles by the Islamic Republic, Kirby called it a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and added that the United States will continue to work with its partners in the UN and beyond to apply sufficient pressure to compel Iran to cease destabilizing activities, including its missile program. This senior White House diplomat referred to the ongoing advancement of the Islamic Republic's missile program as a 'clear threat' to the Middle East, particularly to America's friends in the region. Kirby also mentioned military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, stating, 'We know Iran is cooperating with Russia regarding the potential establishment of a facility to produce Iranian drones within Russian territory, which is another reason for continued pressure on the Islamic Republic.' In relation to dual-national citizens 'unjustly imprisoned in Iran,' Kirby stated that the Biden administration has never forgotten its 'sacred commitment to bring back Americans wrongfully detained abroad, including in Iran.' According to him, the Biden administration has never stopped its efforts to free them and has always tried to return them to the U.S. in a manner consistent with the government's commitment to their safety and U.S. national security. Kirby responded to a question about whether the U.S. exerted little pressure on Iran at the recent Board of Governors meeting, stating that the U.S. has held the Islamic Republic accountable for its destabilizing activities, efforts to achieve nuclear weapons production capabilities, support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and attacks on commercial vessels, and thus Washington's pressure on the Islamic Republic is not insignificant. The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council added that to compel the Islamic Republic to abandon its nuclear weapons program, the Biden administration has all options on the table. In response to a question about the possibility of using Iran's frozen assets for humanitarian aid and goods, Kirby stated he had nothing to say on this matter. However, this senior American diplomat added that Washington's sanctions against the Islamic Republic due to the regime's behavior in the region, its treatment of the Iranian people, and its support for Russia will remain in place. Prior to this interview with the Persian section of Voice of America, Kirby had announced in a press update that the Islamic Republic, despite deceptive claims of non-interference, continues to fan the flames of the devastating war in Ukraine by sending 'lethal weapons' to Russia.