Europe's SPV to be launched soon: Zarif

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a weekly cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif added, he had been informed during last week’s trips to Brussels and Geneva that Europe has made the final arrangements for the SPV and the financial mechanism will be unveiled in the near future.

Considering that the US is seeking information about the SPV finance-trade mechanism, and may attempt to hinder its development, the Europeans are handling the process of establishing the SPV confidentially until achievement of the final result, Zarif said, adding that Europe itself is pressing ahead with the process and will make announcements after reaching results, Iran Press reported.

Elsewhere in his comments, Zarif once again rejected the allegations raised by US officials that Iran’s missile program violates the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, reiterating that Iran’s missiles have pin-point accuracy and have been designed to carry conventional warheads.

Zarif added: “We have basically no nuclear weapons program, and do not design any missile for carrying nukes either.”

Asked about Iran’s stance on the presence of US warships in the Persian Gulf, Zarif said foreign military presence in the Persian Gulf disrupts its security and would benefit no regional country.

 “The Islamic Republic of Iran vigorously defends its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of its waters, and our Armed Forces have such a capability,” he went on to say.

In a tweet on Saturday December 1, US secretary of state  Mike Pompeo claimed that Islamic Republic of Iran has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that’s capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Responding to Mike Pompeo's allegation that Iran's missile program is violating UNSCR 2231, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said Iran's missile program is a defensive program and designed according to the needs of the country.

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