TEHRAN - Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan has shunned new U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic under the pretext of its recent ballistic missile test, saying the embargoes on individuals cannot hamper the progress of the country’s missile program.

“Attempts to impose new sanctions (against Iran) under irrelevant excuses are indicative of the continued hostile policies of the U.S. toward the Iranian nation and its futile move to undermine the country’s defense capability,” Dehqan said in a speech on Monday, according to Tasnim.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s missile industry is completely indigenous and based on local knowledge and expertise… and imposing sanctions on individuals or companies has no impact on the development of the industry,” he stated.

SP/P