The US is pushing for a missile defense system that will protect European NATO allies from a growing missile threat. Turkey, which has boosted its economic and security cooperation with Iran in recent years, insists that no country should be mentioned as a threat in the proposed system, although US officials have named Iran as the potential threat several times. Turkey says the system is for defensive purposes, not offensive, and insists that the threats must be dealt with as they emerge. Earlier this month, top Turkish and US officials had talks on the issue on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels. Both sides deny any pressure on Turkey from the US to join the proposed missile defense system.
Jazayeri denied that Iran constituted a threat, saying Iran has announced its defense doctrine and policies several times and that there is no reason to become worried about the Islamic republic. The US, he said, is trying to expand its hegemony through fabricating tales meant to sow discord between nations.
