BEIRUT – Iran has increased its missile production three-fold, a seniorRevolutionary Guards commander said Wednesday, according to the Fars newsservice.
The commander did not explain during what time period the productionincrease had taken place.
“In the past we had to do a lot of explaining to various bodies for ouractions but it’s not like that anymore,” Brigadier General Amir AliHajizadeh, the head of the Guards’ aerospace division said, according toFars.
“Our production has increased three-fold compared to the past,” he said,referring to missiles.
The government, parliament and other Iranian officials had, in particular,agreed on the need for ground-to-ground missiles, Hajizadeh said.
Fars gave no further details.
France’s foreign minister visited Iran on Monday on a delicate mission toreaffirm Europe’s support for a nuclear deal that opened Iran’s economy,while echoing U.S. concern about its missile programme and role in regionalconflicts.
Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit reflected French efforts to safeguard Iran’s2015 accord with major powers.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal unlessthree European signatories help “fix” it by forcing Iran to limit its swayin the Middle East and rein in its missile programme.
Senior Iranian officials told Le Drian on Monday that Iran’s ballisticmissile programme was not up for negotiation. – Agencies