TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (MAN) – Iran has rebuked The French Foreign Ministry’s provocative comments about Tehran’s ballistic missile programs, calling on Paris to avoid repeating such provocative comments.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on Friday criticized his French counterpart's comments on Tehran's ballistic missile programs, saying Iran expects France to “avoid repeating the irresponsible and incorrect claims made by those who are against JCPOA [Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement]."

He added that the program is Tehran's natural right to reinforce its defensive and scientific potential, which is not a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

"No clause in this resolution forbids Iran from conducting missile and air defense development programs and using them for scientific purposes."

Ghasemi made the remarks hours after France called on Tehran to “immediately cease all ballistic missile-related activities designed to carry nuclear weapons, including tests using ballistic missile technology.”

The French ministry's statement came a day after President Hassan Rouhani announced Iran’s home-made rockets would launch two new satellites into space in the coming weeks.

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