Iran’s Shahab 1 missile. Photo: Hosein Velayati/ Wiki Commons.

Iran responded to the latest US-imposed sanctions by vowing to continue developing its ballistic missile program, Tehran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tehran’s missiles so not violate any international law or ruling. Iran would therefore not allow the United States to unilaterally stop it from upgrading its “defensive and deterrent missile program.”

The statement said Iran’s ballistic missiles were exempt from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s restrictions because, it claimed, they were not meant to carry nuclear warheads, Fars reported.