Source:

June 20, 2010

TEHRAN – Iran’s missiles pose no threat to any country, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Saturday.

Vahidi made the remarks in response to the recent claims of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said on Thursday that Europe could face hundreds of Iranian missiles.

“The missile capability of the Islamic Republic of Iran was developed and built for defending itself against any kind of military attack and it does not threaten any country,” he stated.

Vahidi said Gates’ remarks are part of the propaganda campaign the U.S. is conducting to expand its influence in Europe, to invent excuses for refraining from eradicating nuclear weapons in Europe, and to contain Russia.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said that the U.S. is trying to humiliate Russia and tarnish its reputation among its neighbors by sowing discord between regional nations.

In 2003, the U.S. faced opposition from certain European countries when it decided to invade Iraq unilaterally, so Washington immediately chose to divide Europe into old and new Europe, he stated.

Today the United States is pursuing the same policies, but in a different way, he added.

Vahidi said the U.S. foreign policy is basically a warmongering policy which is based on breaking promises, sowing discord, and creating crises.

However, such a policy will increase animosity toward the U.S. and will undermine Washington’s power, he noted.

He went on to say that Russia should not be influenced by the U.S. psychological warfare.

History has shown that the United States has never sought either peace or security for other countries and has never respected their interests, he said, adding that Washington has even sacrificed its closest allies to pursue its illegitimate and hegemonic interests