Iran: Our missiles are for defense

Official: US claims we can rain missiles down on Europe "deception."

iranian missile 311 (photo credit: AP)
iranian missile 311
(photo credit: AP)
Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi insisted the Islamic Republic's missiles are for self defense only and accused the US of "deception" Saturday, after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates charged that Teheran could rain missiles down on Europe, AFP reported.
"The Islamic Republic's missile capability has been designed and implemented to defend against any military aggression and it does not threaten any nation," said Vahidi.
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Gates commented on Thursday that US intelligence has learned that Iran has the capability to attack Europe with hundreds of missiles.
Vahidi stated that Gates claims were made to "expand (US) domination over Europe, and to find an excuse not to dismantle its nuclear weapons stationed in the region," according to the AFP report.
The United Nations Security Council approved new sanctions against Iran this month for continuing to enrich uranium which can be used to make nuclear weapons.
This week the Obama administration and the European Union both added further measures against Teheran that go beyond those that the UNSC passed.