TEHRAN: Iran insisted on Monday that its missile program was defensive in nature and designed to dissuade attack, while adding that the existence of its arsenal was not up for debate.
Israel had presented Iran's ballistic missiles, along with its nuclear program, as the two main threats it sought to neutralize during the 12-day war the foes fought in June.
"Iran's missile program was developed to defend Iran's territory, not for negotiation," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press conference.
"Therefore, Iran's defense capabilities, designed to deter aggressors from any thought of attacking Iran, are not a matter that could be talked about."
Iran's ballistic capabilities put Israel within striking distance. After Israel's unprecedented attacks that sparked the war in June, Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones launched at Israeli cities.
According to US broadcaster NBC, Israel is growing increasingly concerned that Iran is seeking to rebuild and expand its missile production following the war. It may seek to attack it again to curtail those efforts.
Over the course of the recent war, Israel struck military sites, nuclear facilities, and residential areas, killing more than 1,000 people.
Israel reported more than 50 Iranian missile strikes inside its territory that killed 28 people.
The US briefly joined its ally in striking Iran's nuclear facilities before declaring a ceasefire.
Iran once procured much of its weaponry from the United States, but following the break in diplomatic relations after its 1979 Islamic revolution, it had to develop its own domestic arms industry.
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