Iran Emphasizes 'Defensive and Deterrent Aspects' of Missile Activities in Response to Europe

One day after the European Union expressed 'serious' concerns over Iran's ballistic missile activities, the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a detailed statement emphasizing that such activities are 'merely defensive, deterrent, and indigenous.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated in its five-point statement that linking 'INSTEX,' the previously named special trade mechanism, to FATF is 'unacceptable.' In the first point of this statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that it has 'serious considerations and criticisms' regarding the EU's 'positions,' while welcoming the registration of the mechanism to support trade exchanges with Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified that this mechanism, described as 'delayed and insufficient,' must be implemented 'with greater precision and speed.' On Monday, February 4, the European Union summarized its position regarding Iran, stating that it is 'seriously concerned' about Tehran's ballistic missile activities and urged the Islamic Republic to stop these activities, especially the launch of ballistic missiles. The EU's statement, consisting of 12 points, addressed a wide range of issues related to Iran, including the ballistic missile program, Tehran's role in the region, the establishment of a special financial and trade mechanism, Iran's compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA, and Tehran's hostile activities in some European capitals. The statement specified that 'Iran continues its efforts to increase the range and precision of its missiles and has increased the number of missile tests and launches.' In several points of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's five-point statement, these issues were addressed, including the emphasis that 'Iran's defensive activities are purely defensive, deterrent, and indigenous.' The statement asserted that the issue of Iran's missile program 'has never been on our negotiation agenda with other countries and will not be.' One point of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement refers to Iran's design and planning for carrying out 'terrorist operations' in Europe. This statement labeled such accusations as 'baseless' and described them as 'unfounded and surprising.' According to the authors of the statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, 'the raising of such unfounded accusations and concerns' by Europeans 'is not constructive in the current situation.' The statement criticized the 'free presence and activity of recognized terrorist and criminal groups with a global profile in Europe.' Zarif: Europe cannot evade the responsibility of harboring terrorists. The Danish Foreign Minister announced on January 8 that the European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on one of Iran's intelligence agencies due to 'planning a terrorist act on European soil.' Denmark accused Iran's Ministry of Intelligence of attempting to assassinate an opposition activist. Additionally, a court in the Netherlands held a trial in June this year for two suspects in the murder of an Iranian citizen in the Netherlands that occurred about a year and a half ago. Following that trial, a Dutch newspaper reported that the victim of this case, 'Ali Motamed,' is 'most likely' the same 'Reza Kaloohi Samadi' who sought asylum in the Netherlands in the 1980s and had been living in the country under the alias 'Ali Motamed.' Subsequently, parts of the intelligence and security apparatus were accused of planning the assassination of Mohammad Reza Samadi Kaloohi, who was the main responsible for the explosion of the Islamic Republic Party building on July 7, 1981. Recently, the Dutch prosecutor announced that no connection has yet been found between the Iranian government and the murder of Ali Motamed. On the other hand, France announced in October that it had seized assets belonging to the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence and two Iranian citizens due to their connection with an unsuccessful attack on a Paris conference, while also stating that an Iranian diplomat had been expelled from France. The Mojahedin-e Khalq conference was held on July 9 in the suburbs of Paris, and following that, French officials announced the neutralization of a plot to attack this conference. Iran has strongly denied this accusation, calling it a 'ridiculous show.' In other sections of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, it 'strongly advises European countries to have a realistic view of regional events and issues and not to be influenced by the currents and insinuations of elements opposed to peace, stability, and sustainable security in the region and the development of relations between governments and nations.' Issues related to human rights are another point in the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, which condemns 'any instrumental and political use of human rights against independent countries.' The special trade mechanism of Europe with Iran will be launched on Friday under the new name INSTEX. 'Expressing concern about the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran,' according to the authors of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, 'while Iran's superior position in the region regarding compliance with human rights standards is clear to all, diverting public opinion and insisting on a misguided process' is described as something that 'can lead to increased distrust in bilateral relations.' In conclusion, the statement expresses that 'the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks constructive engagement based on mutual interests and respect with the European Union.' Ultimately, it is hoped that 'with the implementation of all of Europe's commitments, we will witness the deepening of relations between the two sides in the shortest possible time.'