Valiati: Iran's Regional Policies Will Not Change After Nuclear Agreement

The advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic states that Iran's regional policies will not change after the comprehensive nuclear agreement with world powers, but will rather be strengthened. The Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, published the text of an interview between the Office for Preservation and Publication of Ayatollah Khamenei's Works and Ali Akbar Velayati, which discusses the comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers and its implications for the Islamic Republic's missile program and policies. In this interview, Velayati emphasized that the Islamic Republic 'will produce any type of missile it deems appropriate, whether liquid-fueled or solid-fueled, whether short-range or long-range,' and will only avoid producing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The discussion about Iran's missile program and its fate in relation to the comprehensive nuclear agreement has intensified since the approval of a UN Security Council resolution supporting this agreement on Monday. The commander of the IRGC has stated that some provisions of this resolution regarding Iran's 'military capabilities' 'contradict the red lines of the Islamic Republic and will never be accepted.' However, on the same day, Abbas Araghchi, a senior Iranian negotiator, explained that the part of the Security Council resolution concerning missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads is one that 'the Islamic Republic has no program for.' Velayati now emphasizes that Iran's missiles, such as Shahab and Sajjil, 'are not included in the Vienna agreement's clauses' because 'they were never designed to carry nuclear warheads.' He added, 'Iran will not allow them to visit our military sites nor will it permit interference in what type of defensive weapons Iran possesses.' The Security Council resolution states that Iran's limitations in ballistic missile technology will remain for eight years and heavy weapon restrictions for five years. This resolution also maintains conventional arms sanctions against Iran for five years. Another part of Velayati's statements on Tuesday concerns Iran's regional policies after the comprehensive nuclear agreement, which he described as 'media hype' regarding any potential changes in these policies. Velayati stated, 'Some individuals and media are trying to create a new atmosphere to suggest that Iran's regional policies will change after this agreement. Iran's policies will not change at all. The Islamic Republic of Iran's support for regional fighters along the axis of resistance remains the same and will be strengthened.' Previously, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had emphasized that the comprehensive nuclear agreement would not change Iran's policy towards the United States and that the Islamic Republic would not abandon its support for its 'friends' in the region. However, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has deemed these statements 'a cause for concern.'