Iranian Supreme Leader His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei confirmed Sunday that Western expectations for the Islamic Republic to limit its missile program were "stupid and idiotic".
The Supreme Leader also called on the country's Revolutionary Guards to mass-produce missiles.
"They expect us to limit our missile program while they constantly threaten Iran with military action. So this is a stupid, idiotic expectation," Imam Khamenei said.
He further stated: "The revolutionary guards should definitely carry out their program and not be satisfied with the present level. They should mass produce. This is a main duty of all military officials."
Imam Khamenei made the remarks during a visit to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC] Aerospace Forces' Central Command.
"The arrogant front is making efforts to bring the Iranian nation to its knees and force it into retreat, but it will definitely not achieve this goal," the Leader said.
In parallel, he reaffirmed his support for "negotiations and initiatives in foreign policy" but said that "such issues as sanctions should not be tied to negotiations."
"The officials must resolve the issue of sanctions in another way," Imam Khamenei said.
The exhibition His Eminence was visiting had put on display the achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Forces in the design and development of drones, radars and defense systems as well as anti-ship, ballistic and anti-shield missile systems.
"The most important lesson of this exhibition is the proof of the talent and capability of the Iranian nation for entry into difficult fields and the fields from which the enemy intends to bar them [the Iranians]," the Leader said.
