Rouhani wants missile program expanded despite threats of new sanctions

In a letter to his defense minister, Rouhani said reports that the US Treasury Department planned to blacklist companies and individuals with ties to Iran’s ballistic missile program constituted “hostile and illegal interventions” that justified a response.

The Guards’ naval unit is responsible for securing the country’s interests in the vital waterway, regularly patrolling the area and conducting exercises.

“If US continues its illegitimate interference w/ Iran s right to defend itself a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities”, the president wrote on Twitter.

They also put in jeopardy a landmark deal struck in July between Iran and six world powers including the United States, which is due to be formally implemented within weeks.

US experts said the only objective of the missile would be to deliver a nuclear warhead.

Fresh off of yesterday’s report that the USA was planning to impose a new round of sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile developments, the White House has apparently made a decision to delay the matter, with administration officials now saying there is no timeline for when they will actually impose the sanctions.

Kyle Raines, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said Guard vessels fired several unguided rockets about 1,370 meters (1,500 yards) from USS Harry S.

Security Council Resolution 1929 prohibits Iran from ballistic missile testing, and will remain in place until last summer’s nuclear deal goes into effect.

Iran has called the Emad missile a “conventional missile”.

Iran test-fired one ballistic missile in October and another in November, according to US officials.

A senior administration official told CNN late Wednesday night that the US had been looking for “some time” at options related to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Iran’s defence minister said on Friday that despite the USA pressures, Iran will not slow down the pace of development in its missile programme.

“Iran’s missile capabilities have never been the subject of negotiations with the Americans and will never be”, he added.

A United Nations panel found earlier this month that the missile tests breached previous UN resolutions aimed at stopping Iran from developing missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

“It is crystal-clear that Iran’s missile program is not at all a part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – also known as the nuclear deal – and this is acknowledged by the U.S. officials as well”, Rouhani’s decree said.

The U.S. has repeatedly used long-range missiles to carry out attacks in the Middle East.