Qom Friday Prayer Leader:

Iran’s missile program ‘non-negotiable’

Rasa – Ayatollah Arafi said Iran’s missile program and scientific and technological developments are intended for defence purposes and are backed by the Islamic Resistance and added that Iran’s missile program is not negotiable and the country will never retreat from its aims.

News ID: 4101

Date: 25 March 2016 - 17:40

RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon to a large and fervent crowd of believers in Qom, Ayatollah Arafi said that in the post-JCPOA era, there are certain concerns that must be considered and that the people, government officials and the three branches of government must work together and establish the foundations of a ‘resistance economy’ which is robust. “A resistance economy is not an austerity measure but is necessary to bring prosperity and security to the people,” he said.

Ayatollah Arafi added that Iran has dealt with the JCPOA issue in a rational manner but the other sides have not adhered to their promises, saying: “Iran will not deal or negotiate with other countries over its security and authority, the resistance front or the progress of the country and will its stand on its pledge to its martyrs.”

The member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom said Iran’s missile program and scientific and technological developments are intended for defence purposes and are backed by the Islamic Resistance and added that Iran’s missile program is not negotiable and the country will never retreat from its aims.

“Every day, the enemies raise [new] excuses but the Iranian nation has united behind the Leader and does not deal with [foreign] officials on these issues. Iran’s missile program will continue and the nation will continue on this firm path,” he stressed.

His Eminence noted the dangers posed by secularism, distance from divine values, fanaticism and reactionary Takfirism and false religious wars, saying “all religions should stand against the enemies of Islam.”

In conclusion, Ayatollah Arafi condemned Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels, saying that the hostile positions taken by the West have created the current problems they face. “We believe that we must take a correct and comprehensive look at world events as the terrorists’ ideology is based on Western thought and for this reason, the roots of this ideology must be re-examined and if it is not, they will all go up in flames,” he stressed.

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