Iranian Foreign Ministry insists country's missile program is defensive

JAKARTA - The Iranian government on Monday confirmed that its missile program is defensive, after reports emerged that Israel had issued warnings about Iran's military exercises.

"Iran's missile program is developed to defend Iranian territory, not for negotiations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly news conference, reported by The National (23/12).

"Therefore, Iran's defense capabilities, which are designed to prevent aggressors from attempting to attack Iran, are not something that can be talked about," he said.

Iran's ballistic missile capabilities put Israel within range of attack, and after an unprecedented Israeli strike that triggered the war in June, Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones launched at Israeli cities.

According to the US television station NBC, Israel is increasingly concerned that Tehran is trying to rebuild and expand its missile production after the war, and may try to attack Iran again to limit these efforts.

During a planned visit to the US later this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is expected to convey to (President Donald) Trump the options for the US to join or assist in any new military operation," NBC reported, citing anonymous sources familiar with the plans and former US officials briefed on them.

On Monday, Axios reported that Israel told the Trump administration over the weekend that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' missile drills could be preparation for an attack on Israel.