Iran deterrence capability not up for compromise: Analyst

Press TV has interviewed Kaveh Afrasiabi, an author and political scientist in Boston, about the Iranian parliament (Majlis) voting in favor of a bill to boost the missile capabilities of the country's armed forces to strengthen the country's defensive capacity and deterrence.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: This motion to boost Iran’s missile capabilities comes at a time as we have just mentioned the US and its allies have been pressuring Iran to clamp down on its ballistic missile program. Doesn’t this show that Iran will not compromise on its security no matter what pressure the US applies?

Afrasiabi: Exactly and I think that this is a timely and important legal exercise by the parliament reflecting Iran’s determination to bolster its military arsenal and send a message to the outside world that irrespective of whatever pressure, Iran will tread that path and protect its national defense and national security interest and also this is a step that is in line with the recent directive of President Rouhani to the armed forces to continue the research and development of Iran’s ballistic missile program and this is an important final hurrah by the outgoing parliament that will leave a positive legacy for the new parliament that will be sworn in later this month.

Press TV: Of course the question here is that is the US going to get the message?

Afrasiabi: Hopefully the US government and some of its partners in Europe and elsewhere ought to know that Iran’s deterring capability is not up for compromise, that is a vital component of the nation’s national security that no politician, lawmaker or anyone in the presidential office can tamper with and the initiative by the lawmakers has reinforced that impression that will hopefully be related to those anti-Iran hawks in the US Congress and elsewhere that their attempts are futile and will not have any dent on Iran’s determination to bolster its national defense.

Press TV: And before I let you go, of course coming back to the point that Iran does have a right to self-defense and defend itself against any threat within the region, be it terrorism or one posed by any government or country, however, at the same time it is important to note that Iran’s own missile system is ingeniously built. What does that mean as far as the capabilities of this country goes in providing the defense for the country as well as for the region?

Afrasiabi: Well I think it is very important for the region as a whole because the Middle East is in turmoil today, there is tremendous instability and if you look at all around Iran, crisis is raging and affecting a lot of nations and Iran is an anchor of stability and to have a powerful military can protect itself as well as its neighbors is good for the international community and should be applauded instead of undermined and unfortunately some people in the West do not get the message.

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