On January 5, Iran revealed a new underground missile base containing Emad precision-guided long-range missiles. The footage was released five days after President Hassan Rouhani called for accelerating Iran’s missile capability, in response to the U.S. Treasury’s announcement that it was preparing to expand sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program. Rouhani denounced the potential sanctions as “illegitimate and illegal meddling in the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to reinvigorate its defense power.”
The United States announced on December 31 that it would put new sanctions on hold, but officials denied that Iran's defiance played a part in the delay. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said the administration has “additional work that needs to be done” before finalizing the sanctions, but emphasized that “this is not something that we would negotiate with the Iranian government.”
U.S. officials have said that the proposed sanctions are a response to Iran’s test launch of ballistic missiles in October and November 2015. A U.N. committee ruled that the October missile test was a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929. The following are statements from Iranian and U.S. officials on Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Footage of 2nd #missile city of #Iran's #IRGC while speaker of parliament Larijani visiting the site. pic.twitter.com/fzVMYdZvzh
— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) January 5, 2016Iran
President Hassan Rouhani
In response to new US #sanctions planned against Iran's ballistic missile program, have ordered the Defense Minister to expedite the program
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) December 31, 2015
We have never negotiated regarding our defense capabilities including our missile program & will not accept any restrictions in this regard
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) December 31, 2015
If US continues its illegitimate interference w/ Iran's right to defend itself a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) December 31, 2015
"In case such wrong and interventionist measures are repeated by the United States, the Defense Ministry will be duty-bound to make use of all possibilities to bring up new planning to develop the country's missile capability.”
"As the United States seems to plan to include the names of new individuals and firms in its previous list of cruel sanctions in line with its hostile policies and illegitimate and illegal meddling in the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to reinvigorate its defense power, the program for the production of the Armed Forces' needed missiles is required to continue more speedily and seriously.”
"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 US officials as well.”
"As repeatedly stated, nuclear weapons have no room in Iran's defense doctrine, and therefore, the development and production of Iran's ballistic missiles which have never been designed to carry nuclear warheads, will continue powerfully and firmly as a crucial and conventional tool for defending the country."
– Dec. 31, 2015, in a letter to Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan
Defense Minister General Hossein Dehghan
“In view of America’s recent hostile steps and the esteemed President (Hassan Rouhani)’s emphasis, we will increase the speed and scope of our missile capabilities.”
– Jan. 1, 2016, according to the press
"We don't ask for anyone's permission for boosting our defense and missile power; we resolutely continue our defense programs, specially in the missile field.”
– Jan. 1, 2016, according to the press
"Iran's missile capabilities have never been the subject of negotiations with the Americans and will never be.”
– Jan. 1, 2016, according to the press
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is boosting its defense capability based on its goals and national interests. Peace and security need to be provided under the shadow of power with current regional and global situation.”
“We respect national sovereignty of all countries…but we will never allow any power or political unit to take measure against our country.”
– Jan. 2, 2016, according to the press
IRGC Deputy Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami
"As long as the United States supports Israel we will expand our missile capabilities.”
"We don't have enough space to store our missiles. All our depots and underground facilities are full.”
– Jan. 1, 2016, according to the press
"Hundreds of long tunnels are full of missiles ready to fly to protect your integrity, independence and freedom.”
– Jan. 1, 2016, in an address to worshippers at Friday prayers
Advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati
"Such measures are against the spirit ruling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (nuclear deal) since the JCPOA underlines that none of the Group 5+1 members (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) should increase economic pressures against Iran.”
"The US administration's measure and increasing sanctions will leave bad effects on the Islamic Republic of Iran's trust and of course, such measures will not remain unanswered by the Iranian officials.”
– Dec. 31, 2015, according to the press
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari
"Such measures are unilateral, self-centered and illegal and the Islamic Republic of Iran has notified the US administration and they have themselves announced before that Iran's missile issue is not related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and no action will be able to deprive the Islamic Republic of Iran from its legitimate and legal rights to strengthen its defensive power and national security.”
"Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a response to any US meddling action against its defensive programs by (further) strengthening its defensive power.”
– Dec. 31, 2015, according to the press
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri
“Expanding defense and missile capability of the Islamic Republic of Iran has nothing to do with the JCPOA as frequently announced before. The US recent efforts shows its deep hostility to the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iranian nation.”
– Jan. 6, 2016, according to the press
United States
State Department Spokesman John Kirby
“There’s absolutely no soft-pedaling with respect to Iran and their destabilizing activities. What we said on the ballistic missile program – there have been sanctions put in place as a result of that program, and as I said yesterday, we’re still working through potential sanctions on more recent ballistic missile tests.”
Iran is “still working a ballistic missile program that gives everyone pause. But there are levers at our disposal and tools at our disposal which we have used and we will continue to use.”
“We take very seriously the ballistic missile program that Iran continues to pursue. We have tools at our disposal in the terms, particularly in terms of sanctions that we have used in the past. We are still open to using that in the future. I – as I said yesterday, we are fully prepared to continue to use sanctions with respect to this most recent ballistic missile test. We are still working through some technical issues there. And I just don’t have any sanctions to announce today.”
– Jan. 4, 2016, in a press briefing
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest
“We have been talking publicly for some time about the potential that the United States could levy sanctions against Iran in light of ballistic missile tests that they conducted last year. This is an option that has been on the table for some time and it’s one that has been carefully considered by the experts at the Treasury Department, who are responsible for imposing those kinds of financial penalties.
“We know that those kinds of financial penalties have an impact and they are helpful in countering Iran’s ballistic missile program. But ultimately, we will impose those financial penalties -- we’ll impose those sanctions at a time and place of our choosing when our experts believe they would have the maximum impact. And those decisions are not subject to negotiation by the Iranians -- or anybody else for that matter. They are actually -- those decisions are made based solely on the conclusion of our financial experts about ensuring that those penalties have the maximum impact.”
– Jan. 4, 2016, in a press briefing
Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes
“We have additional work that needs to be done before we would announce additional designations, but this is not something that we would negotiate with the Iranian government.”
– Jan. 2, 2016, according to the press