France and Germany have called on Iran to end its ballistic missile program as well as its “hegemonic temptations,” Reuters reported on Monday.

In a press conference, with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, “We also have the same view on the necessity for Iran to go back on its ballistic missile program and its hegemonic temptations.”

While France and Germany say they are committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, United Nations Security Council resolution 2231, which implemented the deal, called on Iran not to develop ballistic missiles, an activity that Iran has continued to pursue despite the deal.

Iran rejected the French and German plea.

“French statesmen and other statesmen who speak about Iran’s affairs need to pay attention to the deep developments that have come to pass in the region in past decades and the big changes between the current situation and the past,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi responded.

He added, “They should analyze the issues more carefully in their words and statements because the Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely not negotiate on defensive and missile matters,” demonstrating defiance of the terms of the Security Council resolution.

Experts have warned that Iran’s ballistic missile program is clearly offensive not defensive, and how the missiles being developed could be used to carry nuclear weapons.

France and Germany, joined the United States and the United Kingdom in August, sending a letter to United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, charging that Iran’s launch of a satellite violated resolution 2231.

[Photo: Persian Boy / YouTube ]