Iran reasserted its refusal to discuss the file of its missiles program, saying such dialogues would mean “a violation of its defense infrastructure,” a high-ranking Iranian source said on Thursday morning during a meeting organized by the French Institute of International Relations, celebrating the fourth round of the “Political Dialogue” between Iran and France.
“Tehran categorically rejects France’ proposal to open discussions concerning the ballistic and missiles program, because such talks would violate Iran’s defensive and national infrastructure. Therefore, the door is closed to this unofficial French initiative,” the source said.
Concerning Iran’s regional policy, the source seemed more open.
“Tehran is ready to accept any talks initiative with the Gulf States and is ready to discuss all files,” he said.
The Iranian official also added that his country played a leading role in fighting terrorism and in preventing ISIS from arriving to Baghdad, Damascus and Irbil, and even maybe to Beirut.
During the Paris meeting, the Iranian side was headed by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, while the French side was represented by Secretary General of France’s Foreign Ministry Maurice Gourdault-Montagne.
The meeting did not produce any statement from either the French or the Iranian sides, based on a protocol principal.
French sources said that the gathering created a chance for holding a wide-range round of talks during which both sides discussed regional hotspots and Iranian-related issues, including the fate of the Nuclear Deal signed with Tehran in the summer of 2015 or its missiles or ballistic programs, in addition to Iran’s regional policies, which spark fears and interrogations.
The Paris meeting comes amid tensed relations between France and Iran, expressed lately by mutual accusations, which were the direct cause of postponing the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Tehran and of suspending talks about a possible visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Iran early next year.
