Iran Press/Iran news: In an interview with Sputnik, Shamkhani noted there is no reason for the Iranian-US conflict to escalate into a military confrontation.
He was interviewed in the sidelines of the 10th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
“Iran considers the engaging foreign potential to reinforce its domestic capacity in air defense amid escalating tensions,” said Shamkhani.
“We currently face demonstrative threats. Nevertheless, when it comes to the air defense of our country, we consider using the foreign potential in addition to our domestic capacities,” Shamkhani said when asked whether Iran might purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems in case it faces a serious threat.
Heading a delegation, Shamkhani has attended the summit of security officials in Ufa at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev.
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Shamkhani also added that Iran is not currently considering the possibility for Russia or any other state to mediate the Iranian-US dialogue on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“Mediation is out of the question in the current situation. The United States has unilaterally withdrawn from the JCPOA, it has flouted its obligations and it has introduced illegal sanctions against Iran,” he emphasized.
“The United States should return to the starting point and correct its own mistakes. This process needs no mediation," Shamkhani said.
The official went on to say that Iran will continue gradually boosting uranium enrichment and heavy water production beyond the levels outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, until JCPOA participants who violate the nuclear deal return to compliance.
"This is a serious decision of the Islamic Republic [of Iran] and we will continue doing it step by step until JCPOA violators move toward agreement and return to fulfilling their obligations," Shamkhani noted.
If JCPOA participants do not comply with the deal, Iran will be reducing its commitments "step by step within legal mechanisms that the JCPOA envisions," Iranian senior official stressed.
The Iranian security council secretary also lashed out at the United States for exercising pressure on the Islamic Republic through claims that Iran was behind the attack on oil tankers attack in the Gulf of Oman.
Addressing the issue of a possible closure of the strait of Hormuz, the official underlined that Iran will protect its borders and repel any encroachment.
The 10th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues started in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, on Tuesday, where high-ranking security officials of various countries have been discussing ways of ensuring national security and sustainable economic and social development against a background of growing hybrid warfare threats. 101/214
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