Agence France-Presse,
TEHRAN: Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Tuesday that Europeans will “never” become the target of Iranian missiles, after claims by the US that Iran poses a ballistic missile threat to Europe.
“Europe is not and never will be the target of Iranian missiles. We have strong trade ties with the Europeans,” Larijani was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
He said those claiming Iran's missiles could target Europe were “playing imbecile games.”
The United States wants to deploy elements of its anti-missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland, despite the strong objections of Russia.
Washington says the system is designed to defend against a missile attack from “rogue” states such as Iran.
But Moscow describes the planned missile shield as an aggressive step close to Russia's borders that could reignite an arms race.
Larijani on Sunday said Iranian missiles were incapable of reaching Europe and described the US claims as the “joke of the year”.
