Iran’s possible response to Trump speech

As clocks tick closer to the awaited Trump speech about Iran’s nuclear deal and his new approach to it, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi replied to deluge of questions about the counter-approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

1-Iran’s Principle policy is supporting peace, regional stability, and measures against destabilizing moves and divisive plans which seek to create tension and conflict in the region. Henceforth, serious and crushing fight against ISIL and other terrorist groups in the region has been the top principle priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is while the US policies especially in supporting terrorist groups and oppressive regimes have been the main source of instability in the region. The US cannot evade its responsibilities with accusing others and the Americans should act responsibly toward their wrong policies.

2-In the course of the past decades, the US policy of backing the Zionist regime [of Israel] and autocratic and oppressive establishments in the region has yielded war and continuous conflict on one hand, and creation of the evil phenomenon of terrorism on the other hand. US friends and allies in the region are the main creators and supporters of international terrorism which has even victimized the US citizens on their home land in US. Keeping this policy by US is a strategic historic mistake with dire consequences for the region and the world.

3-Iran’s missile capability is solely of defensive and deterrent nature. This capability, interestingly, has played an effective role so far in the path for peace and stability in the region. Without this capability, it was unknown where the ambition and wishful thinking of some pampered heads of states would have taken the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolute in keeping and developing its defense and security capability and on this path only the national security considerations and interests of the Iranian people are heeded.

4-The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the IRGC, are the guards of the security, and the manifestations of the might, power, and authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The government and all walks of Iranian nation firmly support these forces. Any act against the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the IRGC, will face the firm and crushing response of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

5-The permanent and principle policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to counter weapons of mass destruction all over the world and to move toward global disarmament. This policy is the founding base of the JCPOA and Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA has been confirmed eight times since it was brokered by the only supervisory body. On the other hand, US lack of commitment to this agreement and repetitive violation of its terms and spirit is an obvious and clear fact whose cases have been recorded and reported in the past year and a half in the 9 letters of the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the European Union's foreign policy chief, who also acts as the coordinator for the negotiations in the lead-up to the JCPOA. The Islamic Republic of Iran has reacted in each case with regard to its own interests and will do the same in the future with no extra consideration. The choices of Iran are so diverse and upon necessity Iran will end keeping all its commitments in the JCPOA.