Following is the interview Press TV's Faranak Amidi has conducted with Iranian defense minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar.

Q. Following US President George Bush's statement that Iran's missiles will reach the US by 2015, some US officials have described Iran's missile arsenal as a threat. What is your opinion about these assertions?

A. The US has many goals behind these allegations:
Their plan to install a missile shield in the Czech Republic (and Poland) has been widely rejected by the European public, so the US tries to portray Iran as a threat.

Secondly, they are trying to justify their failures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thirdly, by tarnishing Iran's international image, they intend to create an international consensus against Iran. This has failed, which explains that why the US has been reduced to unilateral sanctions.

In other words: everything they have done has backfired on them.

By fabricating a connection between Iran's peaceful usage of nuclear energy and its military use, the US and its supporters seek to introduce Iran as a 'threat' to the world. However Iran's transparent nuclear program and its recent constructive cooperation with the IAEA, has thwarted their attempts.

The US is trying to frighten away Iran's neighbors and regional countries by sowing seeds of discord; once again a tactic which has not borne fruit.

All these strategies are an attempt to blow Iran's defense capabilities -particularly its missile arsenal- out of proportion. They have started a campaign of psychological warfare against Iran and as the Iranian Minister of Defense I would like to reiterate that Iran's military doctrine is defensive not aggressive.

We are not a threat to any country and we have proven this in the past 27 years. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has not taken an aggressive stance or attacked any country in any way. We have always extended the hand of friendship to other countries, believing that the road leading to regional peace and stability passes through regional cooperation pacts.

Q. What are the Islamic Republic's plans to settle the conflict in the region and bring peace and stability to the Middle East?

A. We propose the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the region so countries can resume living in peace and neighborly harmony.
Following our successful Caspian Sea Conference, we hope to use the conference as a model in the Persian Gulf region as well. We furthermore hope that future misunderstandings will be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic negotiations.

Furthermore we believe that The Zionist Regime's WMDs must be dismantled, in a bid to restore the rights of the Palestinian nation. The belligerent Regime has turned into a threat with its warmongering policies, and is deliberately undermining regional and global peace.

These are some ideas that can be propagated throughout the region.
We support these ideas and look forward entering into security pacts with regional countries, in a bid to find methods to help and provide peace in regional countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and promote a long-lasting and friendly relationship.

Q. What is the Islamic Republic's reaction incase the neoconservatives' recent threats are acted upon?

A. Unfortunately the Zionists influence on the US government and foundations, are inciting belligerent means and approaches, which is why Iran should provide more information to the world and especially the US public so the Zionists do not deceive them. A good example of this approach was the Iranian President's recent visit to New York.

As for the threats against us, we have prepared ourselves and taken certain measures to respond appropriately.

Q. Neoconservatives alongside Zionists are trying to portray Iran as a major threat to their security. What are Iran's plans and strategies to counter these allegations and pave the way for peace? And where do the US warmongering policies stem from?

A. The US belligerence emanates from the unlimited influence of Zionist lobbies inside the US Government. They seek a margin of safety to maintain military supremacy in the region which includes portraying Iran as a threat.

Q. What is Iran's plan to counter this?

A. We need to clearly express our stance which is why as minister I repeat again that we are no threat to the world. The Media spends a lot of money to tarnish our image. We sincerely hope Press TV can help remedy this situation.

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