Our Defence Affairs Are Not Negotiable: Iran FM to Macron

Iran swiftly dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron's call for talks relating to Tehran's ballistic missiles program.

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Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the missile program was defensive and unrelated to the 2015 nuclear deal that the country signed with the six world leaders, according to a statement published on ministry's website.

"France is fully aware of our country's firm position that Iran's defence affairs are not negotiable," said Qassemi brushing aside the French leader's request, adding that "other issues will not be allowed to be added to it (the deal)."

Macron, on Thursday, expressed concern about the program following allegations by Saudi Arabia that they recently intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

“There are negotiations we need to start on Iran’s ballistic missiles,” Macron said.

The United States backed the Saudi claim that the missile was supplied by Iran and urged the United Nations to hold Tehran accountable for the violation.

Macron made the request for dialogue while on a trip to Dubai, pointing to the possibility of sanctions being imposed to force Iran's hand.

Saudi Arabia heaped on additional the accusations, stating that Iran supplied weapons to the Houthi rebels. A charge Iran strongly denies and, in turn, blames Riyadh.

The French head of state has made efforts to preserve the deal, telling Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, last month, that France remained committed to the deal while stressing the need for dialogue.

While U.S. President Donald Trump decertified the agreement and imposed sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

The United States Congress now has 60 days to reimpose nuclear sanctions.

Iran inked the deal with Britain, China, Germany, France, Russia and the United States.