Iran urges U.S. against creating new tensions over missile testJanuary 31, 2017 - 16:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday, January 31 warned the United States new administration against creating new tensions with Tehran over ballistic missile tests, Al Manar says. “We hope that Iran’s defense program is not used by the new US administration… as a pretext to create new tensions,” Zarif said in a televised press conference with visiting French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault. The UN Security Council is due to hold emergency talks called by Washington on Tuesday on Iran’s reported test-firing of a medium-range missile. Zarif said Washington — under former president Barack Obama — and Paris had “repeatedly confirmed” that Iran’s missiles are not part of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers. Iran says its missiles do not breach United Nations resolutions because they are for defense purposes and not designed to carry nuclear warheads. “We have always declared that we will never use our weapons against others except in our defense,” Zarif said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |